ESR3

Everyday technology in public space meets people with dementia

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SwedenKarolinska Institute Sweden
Early Stage Researcher (ESR3)

ESR3 _Sophie Gaber

Sophie Gaber

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Supervisor(s)

 

Prof. Louise Nygard

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 Assistant Prof Camilla Malinowsky

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Hi my name is Sophie and I live in London. I am passionate about healthcare and architecture and in my spare time I enjoy paddle boarding and Pilates

I completed my undergraduate architectural studies in Edinburgh and developed my interest in the relationship between health, the environment, cognitive accessibility and universal design through my MSc in Occupational Therapy.

The privilege of working as a support worker with people living with dementia has motivated me to engage this community in research. I look forward to joining the INDUCT team and starting my PhD at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden.

Start date September 2016
Duration 36 months

Objectives

The objective is to explore how everyday technology in public space and in societal services influence (facilitate/hinder) participation for people with dementia in European countries. Moreover, this will be related to attitudes to, and readiness to use technology in public space and societal services in the included countries. Everyday technology can simplify our lives and facilitate participation but just as well be an obstacle. Following the technological development in society, participation is increasingly dependent on skilled technology use. But people with cognitive impairment are likely to experience difficulty as users of technology both in homes and in public places, for example in the use of public transport and eHealth-communication. Thereby they risk exclusion from public life and services in society.

Expected Results

These studies will explore the role of technology when it comes to participation, particularly in life outside home, for people with dementia who remain living in ordinary housing across Europe. On a societal level, the new knowledge gained from this research can be used to facilitate the development of more accessible and usable public spaces for people with dementia, i.e. a more dementia friendly society.

Planned secondment(s)

First secondment to Germany with the University of Witten with Prof Roes to study best practice in implementation and dissemination in everyday technology and to develop links with Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) Germany. Next to ADI in Turkey for their second secondment to work out the cultural issues of disseminating research beyond EU borders.

Dissemination

 

News

Alzheimer Europe newsletter May 2017 – INDUCT project invites people in the UK to take part in its research study – http://alzheimer-europe.org/News/EU-projects/Tuesday-16-May-2017-INDUCT-project-invites-people-in-the-UK-to-take-part-in-its-research-study

Click here to know how to join this research – https://www.dementiainduct.eu/news/doing-it-for-dementia/