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.
- 1School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
- 2Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
- 3School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States.
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 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.
Related
- Family and informal caregivers’ acceptance, concerns and expectations regarding artificial intelligence-enabled dementia care: a protocol for qualitative evidence synthesis
- Governing artificial intelligence in cancer care: Perspectives and recommendations from patient organizations and the MULTIR consortium
- Service-level and practitioner-level recommendations for better care of people with dementia who live alone and have no informal caregivers
- How digitalisation and emerging artificial intelligence shape cultural adaptability and lifelong learning among postpartum caregivers: a qualitative study in southern China
- Self-reported understanding and attitudes of healthcare workers and caregivers toward artificial intelligence in pediatric healthcare in a children’s hospital in China: a cross-sectional study
BibTeX
@article{oh2026there,
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.}},
author = {Oonjee Oh and Debra Parker Oliver and Karla Washington and George Demiris},
journal = {Innovation in aging},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1093/geroni/igag105},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42927352},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - 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.
AU - Oonjee Oh
AU - Debra Parker Oliver
AU - Karla Washington
AU - George Demiris
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/18
JO - Innovation in aging
DO - 10.1093/geroni/igag105
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42927352
AB - 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 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.
SN - 2399-5300
ER -