GiFT is a proposed system to address the need for simple reporting of activities from day centers to caregivers. By recording interactions between care workers and individuals with dementia via smartphone, and transmitting the audio to caregivers' radios, GiFT aims to (1) bridge gaps between professional and family caregiving, (2) provide caregivers insight into often changing behaviors and interests, and (3) support relationships through shared activities rather than reminiscence. The system would not require new work or technology skills from care workers or caregivers.

1. GiFT
Sam Finnigan
Sebastian Mellor
Mary Galvin
Conor Linehan

2. There is a need for a simple way to send a report
of activities that took place in day centre home to
carers
• service providers would like to show carers that
interesting stuff has happened at day care,
• carers would like to have that info

3. An observed interaction in Mary Galvins research. The carer
was unaware that her husbands interests had changed,
which undermined a potentially valuable interaction:
“Ann: How was your day, John?
John: Great! I had two dinners. I was dancing, I was
dancing all day!
Researcher: What type of music do you like to dance to,
John?
Ann: Oh, he doesn’t like music anymore.”
John sat back and pretended to be asleep and Ann
remained sitting in silence.

4. Aims:
1) bridging gap between professional caregiving and
family caregiving
2) provoking further insight for care givers into often
changing behaviour and interests of person with
dementia
3) supporting the relationship of care - promoting
shared activity rather than reminiscence

5. Design:
Audio recording by care
worker at day centre via
smartphone application.
Record interactions they
already have with people
No new work required of
care worker - fits into
existing activities

6. Design:
Internet-enabled short
range radio transmitter
streams saved audio
from server
People can tune in to
this on their existing radio
No new technology
or technical knowledge
required

7. GiFT is intended to bridge the gap between
professional caregiving and family caregiving,
improving the experience for people with
dementia, caregivers and service providers.
GiFT supports the relationship of care through
providing a shared activity, and through provoking
insight - caregivers are supported in becoming
more aware of the current abilities, interests and
activities of their family member, whose behavior
may be in transition.