Independent Living Support Functions for the Elderly (IN LIFE)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Independent Living Support Functions for the Elderly (IN LIFE)
IRAS ID
197159
Contact name
Arlene Astell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sheffield
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
140376, URMS
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
Independent Living Functions for the Elderly (IN-LIFE) is a 3 year multidisciplinary European project that is funded by Horizon 2020. IN LIFE aims to prolong and support independent living for people with dementia using ICT's. Sheffield is one of six pilot sites across Europe and is also the only UK site.
Researchers have been focusing on the potential of technologies in promoting independence for people living with dementia, generally to assist with aspects of safety and security. It is only recently that the potential of technologies as an intervention to support communication, social interaction and leisure activity has been recognised. The Computer Interactive Reminiscence and Conversation Aid (CIRCA) is an innovatively designed interactive software application comprising generic digital media including video, music and photographs (Astell et al 2010).CIRCA is presented on a touch-screen computer that requires no previous knowledge or experience of ICT and is intuitive to use. Previous evaluations of CIRCA have established a number of benefits for both the person living with dementia and those in a supporting role although these evaluations have been small scale and qualitative in nature. IN-LIFE is an opportunity to evaluate the CIRCA computer software with large quantities of people. The intervention consists of 4 phases overall and this application is concerned with phases 2 and 3. Phase 2 will recruit 120 people living with dementia and phase 3 60 people, from Sheffield Memory Services and GP practices. Potential participants will have received a recent diagnosis of dementia (within 12 months) and all those involved will participate from their own homes. Participation will involve a touch screen computer being installed in the persons home enabling interaction for 2 weeks. Measures will be taken before and after the intervention and again a 3 months post intervention.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/YH/0354
Date of REC Opinion
10 Oct 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion