Are people with mild dementia able to (re)learn how to use technology? A literature review

Abstract

Objective: There is growing evidence that people with mild dementia can benefit from using tablets and apps. Due to their cognitive decline, people with dementia need support in learning how to use these devices. The objective of this review was to identify which training interventions work best to help people with mild dementia (re)learn how to use technologies, including handheld touchscreen devices. Because the uptake of these devices in people with dementia is quite new, training interventions for the use of other technologies were also included, such as technologies assisting people in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). Design: An electronic search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, APA PsycInfo (EBSCO), and CINAHL (EBSCO). Themes discussed include the learning effects; training method (e.g. errorful (EF) and errorless (EL) learning); training intensity and setting; technology task type; dementia type and severity; and study design and outcome measures. Results: In total, 16 studies were included. All studies reported positive learning effects and improved task performance in people with dementia, regardless of dementia severity, training intensity, setting, and the method used. Although the EL training method was successful more often than the EF training method, it would be inappropriate to conclude that the EL method is more effective, because the majority of studies only investigated EL training interventions with (multiple) single-case study designs. Conclusion: Future research should consider using more robust study designs, such as RCTs, to evaluate the effectiveness of training interventions for (re)learning technology-orientated tasks, including operating handheld touchscreen devices.

The digitalisation of finance management skills in dementia since the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study

“…Digital skills need to be improved in the general population, so that if someone develops dementia, they are more skilled at managing their finances digitally without having to learn a new skill. Learning new skills in dementia or other cognitive disorders is difficult and complicated, although not fully impossible in the early stages, likely depending on the dementia subtype ( De Wit et al, 2021 ; Kerkhof et al, 2021 ). To complement wider digital literacy training in the general population, people with dementia also need to receive adequate support in managing their finances from the point of diagnosis.…”

Co-production in clinical practice: a case-study of engagement with patients with dementia and Huntington's disease to develop meaningful cognitive activities

“…Furthermore, digital activities for individuals with dementia need to be tailored to their cognitive profile, physical abilities, technological literacy and personal interests (Meiland et al, 2017;Vollmer Dahlke and Ory, 2020;Muñoz et al, 2022). While tablets and apps are being developed as therapeutic tools to improve cognitive performance for people with dementia (Kerkhof et al, 2022), in other cases, they can also be used as reminiscence tools in a non-clinical setting to improve overall quality of life (Ryan et al, 2020). The overall objective of the Memjo tablet is to provide a person-centred tool for people with dementia that is intuitive and easy to use in a residential surrounding, whether it be at home, in a care home or in a secure hospital setting.…”

“…Computers, tablets, smartphones and virtual reality tools have all been successfully used to engage people with dementia in meaningful and pleasant activities that favour cognitive stimulation, reminiscence, interaction and communication (Appel et al, 2020;Astell et al, 2019;Ferguson et al, 2020;Hashim et al, 2015;Hung et al, 2021;Moon and Park, 2020;Neal et al, 2021;Rose et al, 2021;Ryan et al, 2020). Touchscreen tools have been used as training devices for people with mild dementia (Kerkhof et al, 2022) and have also been proposed as tools for the early detection of cognitive impairment (Giaquinto et al, 2022).…”

“…, 2020). Touchscreen tools have been used as training devices for people with mild dementia (Kerkhof et al ., 2022) and have also been proposed as tools for the early detection of cognitive impairment (Giaquinto et al ., 2022).…”

The Use of an Errorless Learning Application to Support Re-Learning of (Instrumental) Activities for People Living with Korsakoff Syndrome

“…One way to do so could be the application of assistive technology. In dementia care, there is a growing interest in electronic assistive technology to support patients [ 17 , 18 ]. The low costs and wide availability of assistive technology makes it attractive to use for treating disabled persons [ 19 ].…”