Adults With Early-Stage Dementia Share Their Views on Technology

The purpose of this study was to examine the experience of adults living with early stage dementia and that of their care partners with digital technology including current use of, ease with and openness to using smart assistive technologies (SATs). Digital technology (e.g., tablets, computers, communication devices) has become commonplace; technology may promote independence and safety, improve communication, and enhance personal creativity. Digital technologies may promote engagement in most daily occupations and may enhance quality of life (Meiland et al., 2012; Leuty, Boger, Young, & Mihailidis, 2013). Adopting and learning how to use these devices can be challenging, especially for older adults who did not grow up in a “digital society” (Egan & Pot, 2016, p. 359). Learning can be even more challenging for people with decreased cognition (Meiland et al., 2012). Egan and Pot (2016) used focus groups (including four people with dementia), to explore the common barriers of assistive health technologies they encountered. These included a lack of awareness of what is available and how to use it, and the stigma that accompanies the use of assistive technology “for dementia patients” (p. 360). A complaint raised was that the designers of the technology expect that the user will adapt to the product, rather than considering the specific end user initially.

Our design is a qualitative phenomenological analysis of opinions about technology among people with early stage dementia (self-reported) and their caregivers. We also ask Likert questions (1-10 scale) to assess the participant’s acceptance of, and comfort with digital technology. Participants were interviewed, offered a device of their choosing (with set-up if needed), and re-interviewed about their experience two weeks to one month later.

METHOD: A sample of convenience consisting of 6-10 dyads living, one with cognitive impairments (adults self-identified as having early stage dementia and their caregivers) were recruited through the local Alzheimer’s Association. Preliminary results: To date, 17 individuals have been recruited; at least one interview has been completed on 11 (7 people with dementia, and 4 caregivers). Interviews lasted 20 to 180 minutes, including basic device set up. SATs have included voice activated home assistants, a smart frame and video caller, smart phone applications and smart glasses. In-depth line-by-line interview coding has revealed several themes to date: voice-activated assistants work well for orienting and reminding those with mild to moderate memory impairments; set up of devices is relatively easy, but syncing those devices to other devices and using them to full capacity can be overwhelming; devices need to be convenient or they will not be used; caregiver expressed fear of technology taking over their valued role as caretaker; concern also expressed that technology will detract from face-to-face human interactions.

CONCLUSION: The opinions of those with memory impairments and their care partners about technology need to be considered by designers and health care professionals alike. A disconnect between the design of digital technologies and the needs of the end user still exists. However, current technology offers great promise for improved life skills and enjoyment, when it truly fits the needs of the user (such as voice activated home assistants for people with early stage dementia).

IMPACT STATEMENT: This research will increase knowledge the about current use of, willingness to learn about, and wishes for potential technology by people with early stage dementia. Occupational therapy practitioners can use this information to assist older adults to use new technologies to improve their daily lives.

References

Egan, K. J., & Pot, A. M. (2016). Encouraging innovation for assistive health technologies in dementia: Barriers, enablers and next steps to be taken. Journal of The American Medical Directors Association, 17(4), 357-363. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2016.01.010

Leuty, V., Boger, J., Young, L., Hoey, J., & Mihailidis, A. (2013). Engaging older adults with dementia in creative occupations using artificially intelligent assistive technology. Assistive Technology: The Official Journal of RESNA, 25(2), 72-79. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2012.715113

Meiland, F. J., Bouman, A. I., Sävenstedt, S., Bentvelzen, S., Davies, R. J., Mulvenna, M. D., ... & Dröes, R. M. (2012). Usability of a new electronic assistive device for community-dwelling persons with mild dementia. Aging & Mental Health, 16(5), 584-591. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2011.651433