Exploring Informal Caregivers' Perception of the Olera Digital Caregiving Assistance Platform for Dementia Care: Mixed Methods Evaluation Study

Clinical Snapshot

Key Findings

• P Value: Higher use frequency vs TAS score: P<.001; specific p-values for t-tests and linear regression by caregiver characteristics not available from abstract

• Effect Size: Not formally reported; higher platform use frequency was associated with higher TAS scores (F3,61=7.88, P<.001); effect size (eta-squared or Cohen's d) not provided

• Primary Outcome: Technology acceptance of the Olera platform assessed via adapted Technology Acceptance Survey (TAS): overall mean TAS score 5.83 (SD 0.85) out of 7, with all individual TAS items scoring above 5.0, indicating high acceptance

• Nnt Or Sensitivity: Not applicable for this formative evaluation study; no clinical outcome, diagnostic accuracy, or survival data reported

• Confidence Interval: Not reported

Clinical Application

The Olera platform is described as a web-based tool (no app download required), which reduces technical barriers. The four-week study period demonstrated feasibility of engagement. However, the study population's high digital literacy and willingness to participate in a technology study suggests real-world adoption among technology-hesitant caregivers may be substantially lower. Platform features requested by participants for future iterations suggest the current version has meaningful gaps. Dementia is a national health priority in Australia, with approximately 400,000 Australians living with dementia and a projected increase to 1.1 million by 2058 (Dementia Australia). Informal caregivers are the backbone of community dementia care, supported by the NDIS, My Aged Care, and Carer Gateway programs. A digital platform analogous to Olera could complement existing Australian carer support infrastructure, including the Carer Gateway online portal and RACGP guidelines on carer support (RACGP Silver Book). TGA oversight would not apply to a web-based information and navigation tool unless it incorporates clinical decision support. PBS implications are indirect. The demographic homogeneity of this US sample (predominantly non-Hispanic White) limits direct transferability to Australia's culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) caregiver population, where tailored digital tools for CALD communities remain an unmet need. Informal caregivers of people living with dementia, particularly adult children and spouses providing community-based care; most applicable to caregivers with basic digital literacy and internet access

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Informal caregivers of people living with dementia often experience high rates of caregiver burnout while providing care. Although there are many websites and mobile apps available to help caregivers, many do not use digital tools. The Olera platform was developed to be an easily adoptable web-based support tool, connecting caregivers with long-term services and supports, financial assistance, and educational resources. The platform was developed based on the Build-Measure-Learn framework with input from caregiver needs assessments and usability studies. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative feedback of informal caregivers of people living with dementia on the second iteration of the Olera platform. The primary objective was to assess caregivers' acceptance of this caregiving platform. The secondary objective was to use qualitative methods to explore (1) the study cohort's challenges in daily caregiving to determine and compare them with prior literature, (2) their experience when using the Olera platform, and (3) their attitudes toward integrating artificial intelligence in caregiver services for future studies and platform development. METHODS: Caregivers were recruited through various sources and screened for eligibility through an initial survey. Participants used the platform for 4 weeks and completed a survey with an adapted Technology Acceptance Survey (TAS) and qualitative open-ended questions at the end of the testing period. TAS responses were summarized with descriptive statistics, while ANOVAs, t tests, and linear regressions were used to compare the differences in the overall TAS scores by caregiver characteristics. Qualitative feedback data on the platform's usefulness were analyzed via a thematic analysis framework approach. RESULTS: A total of 65 caregivers in the United States completed the study, with a mean age of 59.9 (SD 9.8) years. The majority were female (61/65, 95.3%), non-Hispanic or Latino White (45/65, 69.2%), and the adult child of their care recipient (42/65, 64.6%). Evaluation of the Olera platform showed a high acceptance rate, with each TAS item scoring above 5.0 and an overall TAS score of 5.83 (SD 0.85) out of 7. Higher platform use frequency was associated with higher TAS ratings in technology acceptance (F3,61=7.88, P<.001). Thematic analyses elicited the caregiving challenges, evaluation of the Olera platform, and feedback on artificial intelligence-assisted support. CONCLUSIONS: The Olera platform is an example of a beneficial web-based tool, though key features were requested to be included in the next iteration. Additionally, data supported prior findings regarding informal caregiver challenges and the insufficiency of conventional support mechanisms, indicating a need for more innovative digital solutions. Future research and development efforts using the Build-Measure-Learn approach are necessary to further iterate the platform's key features, enhance the tool, involve more informal caregivers in its improvements, and serve as a model for customizable, person-centered online care support.

References

1. 1.Hoang, M.-N., Kim, L., Fisher, L., DuBose, L., Ory, M. G., Lee, S., Falohun, T., & Fan, Q. (2026). Exploring informal caregivers' perception of the Olera digital caregiving assistance platform for dementia care: Mixed methods evaluation study. JMIR Formative Research. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2504.12501v2