Information Visualization for Dementia Caregiver Empowermen

The dementia syndrome is complex in nature, which makes the caregiving process of dementia challenging. Further, the unpredictable agitated behavior of a person with dementia (PWD) increases the burden and leads to stress and depression of caregivers. The aim of this study is to propose a conceptual design of an interface that provides a visual representation of information to help dementia caregivers understand the influence of environmental and behavioral factors on agitation patterns of PWD. Two multivariate statistical procedures: Principal Component Analysis and Exploratory Factor Analysis were implemented in this research to conduct the data analyses. Knowledge Elicitation methods such as Laddered Grid and Limited Information Task was used to extract information from dementia caregivers and to understand their needs. This study applied the modified NARA framework to support the requirements obtained from the multivariate data analyses and the KE methods. The Concurrent Transformative Strategy, which is a Mixed Methods Approach was followed in this research to integrate both the data collection and the analyses. The data analyses and the elicitation methods results, the user-centered design guidelines, and the principles of visualization were considered in developing the conceptual design of the visualization. This research implemented the Distributed Cognitive Walkthrough Method on the conceptual design, which includes the use of healthcare professionals as expert evaluators. The usability evaluation results based on expert opinions revealed that there exist usability problems with the conceptual design of the Information Visualization. This study explored theories of perception and caregivers' preferences and provided the results of the data analyses, dementia caregivers' requirements, guidelines for the effective visualization of data, conceptual design of the visualization, usability evaluation of the conceptual design, and an alternative conceptual design based on the evaluation results.