A Data-Informed Empowerment Project for Carers of Patients Living with Dementia (PLwD) with iSupport

Carers of patients living with dementia (PLwD) often encounter significant physical, psychological, and emotional challenges throughout the caregiving journey. WHO initiated the iSupport in the mid-2000’s, a skills and training programme for carers, to alleviate caregiver burden and increase their quality of life.

Emerging technologies, such as AI-based virtual assistants (VA) could serve as valuable tools for carers of PLwD. The proposed project is aim to adapt the WHO iSupport framework and develop an AI-powered VA for Chinese family caregivers of PLwD to complete the iSupport programme. The acceptance of this VA and intention to use will be evaluated through interviews and questionnaires.

Essential and Desirable Skills:

1. Technical skills:
• basic understanding of AI and prompt engineering
• ability to assist with the development of the digital interface of the VA
2. Teamwork and proactive learning: willingness to collaborate with people from various backgrounds and to learn new knowledge and skills
3. Communication skills: good written and verbal communication skills for engaging with participants, conducting interviews, and writing reports.