Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) often result in communication deficits that can lead to negative health outcomes as well as complications for caregiving and clinical care. Although augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices have demonstrated efficacy in assisting persons living with dementia (PLWD) in communicating, few devices offer customization for the person's care preferences (e.g., clothing, food, activities) or are designed for integration into clinical care and caregiving. To address this issue, our research team is developing a novel electronic AAC prototype with a touchscreen to promote communication and personhood for PLWD. The current article describes the development of this technology and uses the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) 2013 Statement to describe the clinical trial that is planned to test its efficacy.
Targets: PLWD and their care partners.
Intervention description: Use of AAC Plus to promote communication and personhood for PLWD.
Mechanisms of action: AAC Plus will provide PLWD and care partners a way to communicate PLWD's daily preferences and provide clinical data for health care providers.
Outcomes: Determine whether enhanced communication of daily preferences of PLWD will improve quality of life of PLWD and their care partners.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04571502 (Date of registration October 1, 2020). [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 14(5), 225-234.].