Aging in Place Seed Grants

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Cizik School of Nursing

Funded by Maria C. and Christopher J. Pappas Family Distinguished Chair in Nursing

Funded in 2020

Facial and Body Motion Technology to Detect Psychosocial Distress in Stroke Survivors and Informal Caregivers Living at Home 

Principal Investigator: Jennifer E. S. Beauchamp, PhD, RN, UTHealth, Cizik School of Nursing

Co-Principal Investigator: Shayan Shams, PhD, School of Biomedical Informatics

Co-Investigators: UTHealth: Xiaoqian Jian, PhD, UTHealth, School of Biomedical Informatics

Jennifer Hughes, PhD, McGovern Medical School,

Sean Savitz, MD, McGovern Medical School

Anjail Sharrief, MD, MPH, McGovern Medical School

Christopher Fagundes, PhD, Rice University, School of Social Sciences

Stroke is a leading cause of chronic disability. Most stroke survivors are discharged home after hospitalization and receive care from unprepared informal caregivers (e.g., unpaid spouses). Stroke survivorship is an example of a chronic condition that detracts from the stroke survivor and caregiver’s ability to live well in the home. Psychosocial distress (e.g., anxiety and depression, social isolation, and caregiver burden) negatively affects the quality of life in both stroke survivors and their caregivers. Technology to track facial expression and body motions may assist with identifying psychosocial distress in stroke survivors and caregivers while at home. Our project will provide necessary information on the acceptability of the customized technology for use with survivor-informal caregiver dyads in a simulated home environment. Our long-term goal is to promote mental health and social well-being for stroke survivors and informal caregivers aging at home. An AI-powered chatbot for supporting the medication information needs of older adults.