Artificial Intelligence in Hospice Dementia Care - Perspectives of Hospice Staff and Family Caregivers

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Noah

Artificial intelligence is presented as a tool for supporting dementia care through efficient, personalized interventions, while end-of-life contexts create heightened vulnerability for individuals with dementia. Limited evidence exists on AI acceptability in hospice settings, so perceptions of hospice staff and family caregivers regarding AI integration were examined. A qualitative descriptive study included 19 participants and used directed content analysis guided by the Technology Acceptance Model. Key themes covered perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and the future-oriented guidance of AI adoption.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Purpose and research gap

Methods and participants

Analytical framework

Key themes and findings

Strengths and concerns of AI use

1216 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.4068 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HOSPICE DEMENTIA CARE: PERSPECTIVES OF HOSPICE STAFF AND FAMILY CAREGIVERS Oonjee Oh, and George Demiris, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Artificial intelligence (AI) has gained attention as a tool to support dementia care through efficient and personalized interventions. However, individuals situated at the intersection of dementia and end-of-life care are particularly vulnerable due to severe conditions and lack of decision-making capacities. Yet, there is limited research on AI acceptability in this specific context. Hence, we aimed to examine the perceptions of family caregivers and hospice staff regarding AI integration in end-of-life care settings for persons with dementia. We adopted a qualitative descriptive design with 19 participants (10 dementia caregivers in hospice and 9 hospice staff members) . Dementia caregivers were interviewed individually and staff, including nurses, social workers, bereavement counselors, and a music therapist, participated in 3 focus group interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using a directed content analysis approach; the Technology Acceptance Model served as the guiding framework. We explored themes of “perceived usefulness,” “perceived ease of use,” and the inductive theme of “guiding the new wave of the future.”Caregivers and staff identified strengths and concerns of using AI in hospice dementia care. Example strengths included providing comprehensible informational support to the families and assisting with monitoring symptoms at home. Concerns included the perceived absence of human touch and warmth in AI, which may create resistance among families to adopt AI, and its potential lack of nuanced understanding of dementia-related behaviors. Staff also highlighted critical considerations when designing and deploying AI for this population, such as recognizing the heterogeneity in dementia and integrating the voices of those providing direct care.

FAQs

What research question does the study address about AI in hospice dementia care?

The study examines perceptions of family caregivers and hospice staff regarding how AI could be integrated into end-of-life care for people with dementia.

How was the study conducted and analyzed?

It used a qualitative descriptive design with 19 participants and analyzed transcripts with directed content analysis, guided by the Technology Acceptance Model.

What strengths and concerns did caregivers and staff report?

Strengths included informational support for families and symptom monitoring at home. Concerns included the lack of human warmth and touch, possible resistance to adoption, and insufficient nuanced understanding of dementia behaviors.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Noah