Digital resources supporting sleep of persons living with dementia while alleviating caregivers' burden (DREAm)

The project aims to support the sleep of people with dementia and their informal caregivers using personalized technology. It address sleep disturbances with non-pharmacological interventions, technology and built environment related. Within the SPREAD+ consortium, with the addition of TUe and 7 companies. The DREAm project address the multifaceted challenges of sleep disturbances in community-living people with dementia and their caregivers by offering personalized technological support. This includes structuring daily activities, nighttime guidance, and optimizing indoor environment to improve sleep and quality of life. Approximately 290,000 people in the Netherlands have dementia (2022), increasing long-term care costs. The project estimated to reduce costs in several ways: reducing challenging behavior displayed by people with dementia which helps to control or equalize costs and care burden and dissemination the findings will contribute to a better understanding by care professionals, resulting in reduced staff distress, enhanced work confidence, and possibly reduced absenteeism among others.

Initially, a scoping review will be conducted to explore the needs and expectations of people with dementia regarding the transition from day to night, daily structure strategies, and their expectations of technological solutions. Then daily structure and nighttime guidance strategies will be developed and tested, enhancing their comfort and well-being during daytime and nighttime hours, through co-creation with the target group. The technological solutions will be evaluated with the target group using qualitative interviews and home observations, as well as the analysis of the home environment, including sensor data. Using sensor technology, the project aims to monitor and identify sleep issues and also provide personalized strategies to enhance well-being of people with dementia and their caregivers.

The gained knowledge will be disseminated in various ways at societal, professional, and scientific levels.