Information and communication technologies to support family caregivers of elderly people with advanced dementia in home-based palliative care

Population aging has increased the number of people with chronic conditions, with dementia standing out as a significant cause of disability and progressive dependence on care. As the disease progresses, the elderly person experiences increased frailty and functional vulnerability, requiring palliative care aimed at promoting quality of life and alleviating the suffering of the patient and their family. In the home setting, palliative care provided by family caregivers is marked by the complexity of the demands and the insufficiency of knowledge and skills, generating insecurity and overload. Although health literacy initiatives contribute to improving the quality of life of the caregiver and the care provided, support programs are still scarce, especially those accessible to caregivers with full-time dedication. In this scenario, Information and Communication Technologies emerge as an alternative to expand access to guidance and support, although evidence on their effectiveness in supporting family caregivers is still limited. This study aims to map the information and communication technologies available to support family caregivers of elderly people with advanced dementia receiving palliative care at home.