Best Practice Guidance
Human Interaction with Technology in Dementia

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Guidance

During the development or use of technological devices, the individual needs of the person with cognitive impairments (e.g. dementia or MCIMild cognitive impairment Mild cognitive impairment is a condition in which someone has minor problems with cognition - their mental abilities such as memory or thinking.) and carer should be considered. This includes not only everyday technology, but also surveillance technologyElectronic tracking systems monitoring movements of wearers (STSurveillance Technology Electronic tracking systems monitoring movements of wearers) and technology used during cognitive training sessions. Increased awareness and offered assistance is recommended.

Explanation and Examples

People with dementia tend to face more and other difficulties than people with MCIMild cognitive impairment Mild cognitive impairment is a condition in which someone has minor problems with cognition - their mental abilities such as memory or thinking. when using relevant everyday technologiesCommonplace technologies that most people would agree are widely available in homes and society. e.g. Microwave, television, ATM, ticket machine, elevator/lift, smartphone etc. such as cash machines, calling or texting with a cell phone or using a DVD player, and thus need more assistance in technology use. This may also be the case with STSurveillance Technology Electronic tracking systems monitoring movements of wearers and technology used for cognitive training.

For example, STSurveillance Technology Electronic tracking systems monitoring movements of wearers are often presented as a neutral technology, which enables carers to minimise risk. However, the views of users have not been sought by STSurveillance Technology Electronic tracking systems monitoring movements of wearers developers, which limits the usefulness of STSurveillance Technology Electronic tracking systems monitoring movements of wearers and suggests the need for the empowerment of user groups. Therefore, a study of audience reception was undertaken through focus groups, online discussions (Netherlands) and PPIPatient and Public Involvement Involving ordinary people and local communities in the planning, commissioning, delivery and evaluation of the health and social care services they receive. (UK). Hereby people with dementia could speak for themselves, which has allowed their needs to be compared with carers. There was no clear recognition that such needs differed between people with dementia and carers, and it has not previously been recognized that this leads to a mismatch between a user’s situation and the product design and how this plays out in the acceptance and use of STSurveillance Technology Electronic tracking systems monitoring movements of wearers. Although, carers and people with dementia have not yet reached an agreement on the privacy debate and on how the media should portray dementia, it is clear that carers often tamper with STSurveillance Technology Electronic tracking systems monitoring movements of wearers to make up for a lack in current designs. The results suggest that STSurveillance Technology Electronic tracking systems monitoring movements of wearers are being resold or rebranded by providers to use for dementia, whilst users may experience physical and cognitive barriers to using such technologies for safety reasons.

Regarding technology for cognitive training: As older people have little experience with technological devices, and so may experience problems, professionals involved in cognitive training should monitor training sessions from the outset. The professional must observe and ensure the ability of the older person to understand the instructions given through the technological device, so that the person can really benefit from the cognitive training by computer. For example, in sessions with GRADIOR, a cognitive rehabilitation program, there is always a professional in charge who helps older people to understand the exercises they may experience difficulty with.