Federal Grant Awarded to the University of Minnesota to Study the Efficacy of Remote Monitoring in Alzheimer's Care

MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwired - Apr 2, 2015) - The University of Minnesota School of Nursing has been awarded a $1.2 million grant in partnership with Healthsense and The Lutheran Home Association (TLHA) to study the impact of technology for individuals with dementia conditions. The five-year research demonstration project, funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, will measure the effectiveness of Healthsense's remote monitoring technology in helping individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia-related conditions maintain independence and optimal health at home. It will also examine the effects of remote monitoring in patient quality of care and caregiver stress levels. 

According to the Alzheimer's Association Facts and Figures 2014, Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. More than five million Americans live with Alzheimer's or other dementia conditions. In 2012, 15.4 million caregivers provided more than 17.5 billion hours of unpaid care to people suffering from Alzheimer's disease or dementia conditions valued at $216 billion.

Leading the study is Joseph E. Gaugler, PhD, Associate Professor and McKnight Presidential Fellow with the University of Minnesota School of Nursing and Center on Aging. Dr. Gaugler's innovative and groundbreaking research has made him a recognized national leader in dementia caregiver support interventions.

"We anticipate that Healthsense's innovative remote monitoring intervention, which adopts a proactive approach to chronic disease care, will result in a cost-effective approach that offers robust support for family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias at home," said Dr. Gaugler.

The Healthsense remote monitoring system provides actionable health information through the passive collection of daily sensor data based on Activities of Daily Living (ADL) such as sleep quality, toileting, movement, eating, and other key health indicators. The sensors, placed discreetly throughout an individual's home, establish normal activity levels based on individualized daily patterns. Using proprietary algorithms, the system detects significant behavior changes, which are often early indicators of acute illness onset or exacerbations of chronic conditions, as well as other health and safety concerns.

"Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are significant chronic conditions affecting millions of people in the U.S. and around the world today. Healthsense is honored to partner with Dr. Gaugler at the University of Minnesota and with the clinical leadership at The Lutheran Home Association to explore better ways to support patients and their families enduring this challenging illness," stated A.R. Weiler, President and CEO of Healthsense.

Also playing a critical role in the study is The Lutheran Home Association, which is providing technology assessment and installation, as well as training and support for family caregivers. TLHA has utilized Healthsense remote monitoring technology across multiple settings, including private homes, for the past seven years and has launched remote monitoring care models, which assist older adults with living independently in their home.

"Partnering with the University of Minnesota allows us to continue our national efforts focused on innovation to improve our caregiving capabilities through the use of integrated technology solutions," said Michael Klatt, President and CEO, TLHA. "We look forward to reviewing the findings and using the results to revolutionize Alzheimer's support strategies and the dementia care model."

Interested in participating in the study?
Caregivers of family members or loved ones with Alzheimer's disease or memory loss interested in enrolling in this study should contact Dr. Gaugler at gaug0015@umn.edu or 612-626-2485. Enrolled participants will receive the free use of the Healthsense remote monitoring system for 1.5 years.

About Healthsense
Healthsense is the fastest growing provider of technology-enabled care solutions for the entire senior care continuum. With our full range of health and safety monitoring systems, providers are empowered to proactively deliver the highest quality care possible through critical health information. Caregivers reduce costs, increase independence and enhance senior experiences when armed with the right information at the right time. To learn more, please visit www.healthsense.com.

About The Lutheran Home Association
The Lutheran Home Association (TLHA) offers a wide variety of healthcare, housing and spiritual outreach services with campuses in several states and congregational programs serving seniors and individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities nationwide. TLHA offers comprehensive experience in program development and design, advanced health technology implementation, rural health services, rural training development and outreach, program administration, and innovative service delivery strategies. For additional information, visit www.tlha.org.

About the University of Minnesota School of Nursing
The University of Minnesota School of Nursing ranks 15th nationally of nursing schools in funding from the National Institutes of Health. It is the oldest continuously-operated, university-based school of nursing. The School of Nursing is one of six schools and colleges in the Academic Health Center, one of the most comprehensive facilities for health professionals in the nation, fostering interdisciplinary study, research, and education. For additional information, visit, www.nursing.umn.edu.