ARUA-ALZ - Connecting Audio and Radio Sensing Systems to Improve Care at Home for ADRD

The purpose of this study is to reduce the care burdens of people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia and their caregivers using Fitbit watches and Amazon Echo devices. Couples will be both recruited and provided with consent forms that explain the study.

In the first phase, after the informed consent, selected dyads will participate in two focus groups will take 60 minutes per each. For this, a research staff will schedule a zoom meeting and then will show the short introduction video regarding Alexa and Fitbit, lists of voice interaction with Alexa, and lists of Fitbit conversation. After this, each dyad will participate in one focus groups interview.

In the second phase, a researcher will visit each dyad's home to set up Amazon Echo and Fitbit. The research staff will train participants in use of the Amazon Echo device and Fitbit. A web camera will be set up in the living room. This visit will take about three hours. The camera will run for three hours, and then be removed from the home setting. Two routers, the Amazon echo, Fitbit watch and iPad will remain in the home for two weeks. Signals from two routers will capture activities. Couples will contact the researcher with questions. During the two weeks data on movement, sitting, lying, walking, drinking, eating, falls, washing face, brushing teeth, and location data of the patients as detected by the WIFI router. Daily reminders will be given through the voice assisted ECHO system for routine activities of daily living including time to eat, taking medication, etc. At the end of the two-week study period, measurements will be made on usability, acceptability of the use of the system. Participants will be compensated with another $50.00 gift card for completing this phase of the study.

There are minimal risks in performing the research procedures that consist of a survey, interview, and testing feasibility of the device. However, PI will continuously monitor any harms or discomfort from participants.

Data reporting: Information the investigators learn about participants in this study will be handled in a confidential manner, within the limits of the law. If investigators publish the results of the study in a scientific journal or book, no participants will be identified. The Institutional Review Board and other groups that have the responsibility of monitoring research may want to see study records which identify the participants as a subject in this study.