Use of a closed communication service for social support networks to diagnose and treat conditions in subjects

Abstract

Methods and systems are described for diagnosis and / or treatment of physical or mental conditions, disorders, disabilities or illnesses, injuries, and chronic conditions. According to one embodiment, a communications network that provides a closed communication service to facilitate and encourage affective communication, activity stimulating communication and / or intellectually stimulating communication among members of a caregroup and a target of the caregroup is used as a method of treatment for (i) a physical or mental condition, disorder, disability or illness, (ii) an injury, and / or (iii) a chronic condition of the target. According to another embodiment, such a closed communication service is used as a method of facilitating (i) diagnosis of the target's mental or physical status, (ii) evaluation of the target's response to service stimuli and treatments and condition over time; and / or (iii) making prognoses regarding progression of physical or mental condition, disability, disease or chronic conditions of the target.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60 / 514,172, filed Oct. 24, 2003 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. COPYRIGHT NOTICE [0002] Contained herein is material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent disclosure by any person as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all rights to the copyright whatsoever. Copyright © 2003-2004 CaringFamily, LLC. BACKGROUND [0003] 1. Field [0004] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to diagnosis of, and treatment for, mental disabilities or illnesses, physical illnesses, injuries, and chronic conditions, and in particular to the use of a closed communication service that facilitates and encourages generation and delivery of digital gifts among members of a caregroup and an elder subject that is a target of the caregroup to slow, ameliorate, p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0086] According to another embodiment, a communications network that provides a closed communication service to facilitate and encourage one or more of affective communication, activity stimulating communication and intellectually stimulating communication among members of a caregroup and a target of the caregroup is used as a method of improving well-being or reducing stress of a primary, residential caregiver of the target.

[0087] According to another embodiment, a purposefully supported communications system is provided which increases affective communication, activity stimulating communication and intellectually stimulating communication between an elder and a caregroup associated with the elder thereby (i) reducing risk of disease, depression and physical and mental decline, and (ii) increasing longevity, activity and quality of life.

[0088] According to another embodiment, a method of coaching is provided within a closed communication service that is configured to facilitate and encourage communications among members of a caregroup and a target of the caregroup. The target of the caregroup uses a hardcopy-based communication appliance associated with the caregroup to transmit and receive electronic communications via the closed communication service to or from the members of the caregroup. Identification, creation and delivery of appropriate member-to-member and member-to-target coaching messages is facilitated by providing within the closed communication service one or more tools that allow one or more administrating caregivers of the caregroup to view metrics relating to electronic communications exchanged via the closed communication service.

[0089] According to another embodiment, a closed communication service to facilitate and encourage electronic communications among members of a caregroup and a subject that is a target of the caregroup is used as a method of supporting a spouse, sibling or resident offspring of the subject and preventing one or more of depression, stress and physical illness due to caregiving activities performed by the spouse, sibling or resident offspring on behalf of the subject.

[0092] According to another embodiment, a closed communication service that facilitates and encourages electronic communications among members of a caregroup and an elder subject that is a target of the caregroup is used as a method of facilitating one or more of (i) diagnosis of the elder subject's mental or physical status, (ii) evaluation of the elder subject's response to closed communication service stimuli and treatments and condition over time; and (iii) making prognoses regarding progression of physical or mental condition, disability, disease or chronic conditions of the elder subject.

[0094] According to another embodiment, a closed communication service that facilitates and encourages electronic communications among members of a caregroup and a target of the caregroup is used as a method of providing information to family members regarding indications of physical or mental condition, disorder, disability or illness of a participating family member.

Problems solved by technology

“Research has shown that lack of social interaction leads to disabilities, depression, and even death for the elderly.”

Social isolation and loneliness negatively influence health; and, conversely, declining health status may also lead to increased social isolation and accompanying feelings of loneliness.

In addition, self-rated health is related to feelings of loneliness, in that there appears to be a relationship between higher levels of loneliness and lower self-ratings of health.

NIMH Depression research: “Depression frequently co-occurs with a variety of other physical illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes, and also can increase the risk for subsequent physical illness, disability, and premature death.”“recent NIMH studies show that 13 to 27 percent of older adults have subclinical depressions that do not meet the diagnostic criteria for major depression or dysthymia but are associated with increased risk of major depression, physical disability, medical illness, and high use of health services.

“Studies show that caregivers of physically or mentally disabled family members are at risk for chronic stress.”“Spouses caring for a disabled partner are particularly vulnerable to a range of stress-related health threats including influenza, depression, heart disease, and even poorer survival rates.

The caregiver may get no rewards for their daily efforts, and they may feel isolated from the outer world and deeply depressed.

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