Best Practice Guidance
Human Interaction with Technology in Dementia

Recommendations

Practical, cognitive & social factors to improve usability of technology for people with dementia

Technologies are increasingly vital in today’s activities in homes and communities. Nevertheless, little attention has been given to the consequences of the increasing complexity and reliance on them, for example, at home, in shops, traffic situations, meaningful activities and health care services. The users’ ability to manage products and services has been largely neglected or taken for granted. People with dementia often do not use the available technology because it does not match their needs and capacities. This section provides recommendations to improve the usability of technology used in daily life, for meaningful activities, in healthcare and in the context of promoting the Social Health of people with dementia.
Health care technologies

Electronic care documentation should meet the needs of people with dementia in nursing homes

Guidance

Electronic assessment forms and care plans used for planning dementia care in nursing homes should prompt staff to consider the following needs of residents: activities, maintaining previous roles, reminiscence, freedom and choice, appropriate environment, meaningful relationships, support with grief and loss, and end-of-life care.

Explanation and Examples

The themes above have been described by people with dementia in various studies exploring their self-reported needs and experiences in nursing homes. Developers should therefore consider including these themes into electronic assessment and care plan templates as prompts for nursing home staff to explore with residents.

Type of evidence

Kate Shiells (INDUCT ESR13)

Scoping literature review

References

Shiells, K., Pivodic, L., Holmerova, I., Van den Block, L. (2019). Self-reported needs and experiences of people with dementia in nursing homes: a scoping review. Aging & Mental Health, 24:10,1553. doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2019.1625303