Personalized Technology to Support Older Adults With and Without Cognitive Impairment Living at Home

Abstract

Although persons with dementia (PWD) and their family caregivers need in-home support for common neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), few if any assistive technologies are available to help manage NPS. This implementation study tested the feasibility and adoption of a touch screen technology, the Companion, that delivers psychosocial, nondrug interventions to PWD in their home to address individual NPS and needs. Interventions were personalized and delivered in-home for a minimum of 3 weeks. Post-intervention measures indicated the technology was easy to use, significantly facilitated meaningful and positive engagement, and simplified caregivers’ daily lives. Although intervention goals were met, caregivers had high expectations of their loved-one’s ability to regain independence. Care recipients used the system independently, but were limited by cognitive and physical impairments. We conclude the Companion can help manage NPS and offer caregiver respite at home. These data provide important guidance for design and deployment of care technology for the home.

Studies Involving People With Dementia and Touchscreen Technology: A Literature Review

“…Several other studies also used reminiscence materials presented on a touchscreen interface to provide other assistive functions [9,35-39]. The use of touchscreen technology to support therapists was also evident in the context of art therapy and occupational therapy [40-42].…”

What People with Dementia Want: Designing MARIO an Acceptable Robot Companion

“…Some carer relatives consider PWD will not be able to use robots due to their cognitive deficits [20,26]. Kerssens et al (2015) conducted a small study with PWD (n=7) and their life partner carers to test the feasibility and acceptability of using Companion, a touch screen technology to deliver psychosocial interventions. A life story interview was completed with both the carer and PWD and the robot was then personalised with participants own photographs, videos and messages from people they trusted.…”

“…A life story interview was completed with both the carer and PWD and the robot was then personalised with participants own photographs, videos and messages from people they trusted. [27]. Over a 3 week period participants used Companion.…”

Dem@Home: Ambient Intelligence for Clinical Support of People Living with Dementia

“…Such applications include wandering behavior prevention with geolocation devices, monitoring physical activity, sleep, medication and performance in daily chores [3] [4]. In order to assess cognitive state, activity modelling and recognition appears to be a critical task, common amongst existing assistive technology.…”