Honors Theses and Capstones

Date Completed

Spring 2026

Abstract

Informal caregivers for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) typically experience high levels of subjective caregiver burden due to strenuous role demands, notably the need to provide frequent reminders and 24/7 monitoring to address care recipient cognitive decline. The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experiences of informal caregivers using a novel Socially Assistive Robot (SAR) to care for individuals with ADRD in a home setting and evaluate SAR impact on caregiver subjective burden. SARs are autonomous, interactive devices that can provide timed reminders and monitor home environments, potentially alleviating some caregiver role demands and reducing burden, yet there has been little research on SAR use in homes. This study used a mixed methods approach to analyze the lived experiences of two care giver-recipient dyads, recruited through convenience and purposive sampling. Both dyads had the SAR operating in their homes for at least three months with customized reminder protocol established. Qualitative interviews, with questions based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, were analyzed using open coding to understand facilitators and inhibitors of SAR use, and Goal Attainment Scaling was used to quantify SAR efficacy in assisting care dyads. Preliminary results indicate that the SAR was effective in reducing subjective caregiver burden through hybrid delivery of care. Expanding findings by researching efficacy of SARs with increased functionality may provide further evidence to support SAR use for occupational therapy clients aging in place with informal caregivers.

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

First Advisor

Sajay Arthanat, Ph.D., OTR/L., ATP

College or School

CHHS

Department or Program

Occupational Therapy

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

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