Best Practice Guidance
Human Interaction with Technology in Dementia

themes: Psychology

Evaluating the effectiveness of specific contemporary technology

The rapid growth of the technological landscape and related new services have the potential to improve the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of health and social services and facilitate social participation and engagement in activities. But which technology is effective and how is this evaluated best? This section provides recommendations to evaluate the effectiveness of technology in daily life, meaningful activities and healthcare services as well as of technologies aimed to promote the Social Health of people with dementia. Examples of useful technologies in some of these areas are provided.
Health care technologies

Consider the factors that potentially determine adherence to a computer-based cognitive rehabilitation program to generate corresponding adaptations

Guidance

When evaluating adherence of people with dementia to a computer-based cognitive rehabilitation program, sociodemographic, cognitive, and psychological factors should be taken into account.

Explanation and example

When we consider evaluating the adherence of people with dementia to a computer-based program for cognitive rehabilitation, it is important to consider sociodemographic (age, sex, educational level), cognitive (memory, attention, executive function) and psychological factors (level of motivation, expectations, previous computer use).

For this purpose, a periodic evaluation will help to evaluate these factors and their relation to the amount and the time that a person spends in using a computer program for cognitive rehabilitation. In this way, significant modifications could be made to the program, so that the program meets the needs of people with dementia.

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