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Is there a role for artificial intelligence in end-of-life care for persons with dementia? Perspectives of and recommendations by caregivers and hospice staff
Oonjee Oh, Debra Parker Oliver, Karla Washington, George Demiris. Innovation in Aging, 2026-09-17
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Abstract Background and Objectives Tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping many aspects of dementia care, and end-of-life caregiving for persons with dementia may not be exempt from such paradigm shifts. In this study, we explored families’ and staff’s acceptance of AI in hospice dementia care and generated actionable recommendations for AI designers in supporting end-of-life care for persons with dementia. Design and Methods In this qualitative descriptive study, we conducted individual and focus group interviews with family caregivers (N = 30) of hospice patients with dementia and hospice staff (N = 9). We utilized the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as our theoretical framework and conducted directed content analysis. Results Participants described AI tools as potentially helpful for obtaining information, monitoring patients, managing medications and appointments, providing companionship, and conducting logistical tasks. Familiarity with technology, along with user-friendly interfaces and guidance, emerged as subcategories of perceived ease of use. The uniqueness of hospice, encompassing its humanistic nature and emphasis on families as part of the care unit, also emerged as a key factor impacting attitudes towards AI use. Although many anticipated that AI would bring inevitable changes in the future, they showed nuanced trust and perspectives on how it would impact the essence of care. Based on our participants’ narratives, recommendations emerged across three domains: population-related, AI feature-related, and deployment-related. Discussion and Implications Families and frontline staff should not be considered merely as end users, but as key stakeholders whose needs and expertise should shape the direction of AI applications.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Oh, O., Oliver, D. P., Washington, K., & Demiris, G. (2026). Is there a role for artificial intelligence in end-of-life care for persons with dementia? Perspectives of and recommendations by caregivers and hospice staff. Innovation in Aging. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igag105
Vancouver
Oh O, Oliver DP, Washington K, Demiris G. Is there a role for artificial intelligence in end-of-life care for persons with dementia? Perspectives of and recommendations by caregivers and hospice staff. Innovation in Aging. 2026. doi:10.1093/geroni/igag105.
BibTeX
@article{oh2026-8b5f6fe0,
author = {Oh, Oonjee and Oliver, Debra Parker and Washington, Karla and Demiris, George},
title = {{Is there a role for artificial intelligence in end-of-life care for persons with dementia? Perspectives of and recommendations by caregivers and hospice staff}},
journal = {Innovation in Aging},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1093/geroni/igag105},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igag105}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- Results Participants described AI tools as potentially helpful for obtaining information, monitoring patients, managing medications and appointments, providing companionship, and conducting logistical tasks.
Why it matters
This qualitative study gathered views from family caregivers and hospice staff on whether and how artificial intelligence could be used in end-of-life dementia care. It is about caregiving tools and acceptance, not treating, curing or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
Study details
- Participants30
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 36/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, effect reported and randomized / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Innovation in Aging) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | Innovation in Aging: journal h-index 48 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 5 / 5 | 2026 — within 1 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 30 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomized / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomization or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 0 / 7 | Cited 0 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 0 / 5 | 0.0 citations a year over 2 year(s) since 2026 |
| Impact for its field and year | 0 / 6 | Cited 0.0× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 0 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 3 / 4 | Last-listed author George Demiris: h-index 62 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | Washington University in St. Louis: institution h-index 1,962 (OpenAlex) |
| Multicenter collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 1 / 2 | Not in PubMed, but has a DOI |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 36 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
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