Pervasive assistive technology for people with dementia: a UCD case

Abstract

Smart mobile and wearable technology offers exciting opportunities to support people with dementia (PwD). Its ubiquity and popularity could even benefit user adoption – a great challenge for assistive technology (AT) for PwD that calls for user-centred design (UCD) methods. This study describes a user-centred approach to developing and testing AT based on off-the-shelf pervasive technologies. A prototype is created by combining a smartphone, smartwatch and various applications to offer six support features. This is tested among five end-users (PwD) and their caregivers. Controlled usability testing was followed by field testing in a real-world context. Data is gathered from video recordings, interaction logs, system usability scale questionnaires, logbooks, application usage logs and interviews structured on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model. The data is analysed to evaluate usability, usefulness and user acceptance. Results show some promise for user adoption, but highlight challenges to be overcome, emphasising personalisation and familiarity as key considerations. The complete findings regarding usability issues, usefulness of support features and four identified adoption profiles are used to provide a set of recommendations for practitioners and further research. These contribute toward UCD practices for improved smart, pervasive AT for dementia.

Identifying Disruptive Technologies: Horizon Scanning in the Early Stages of Design

“…This is coherent with a typical usercentred design process (as seen in e.g. Thorpe et al, 2016). However, the challenges following a usercentred approach are those of users trying to foresee their own needs and wants in the future.…”

Digital technologies for the assessment of cognition: a clinical review

“…One study investigated commercially available smartwatch technology to provide ADL assistance for patients with dementia,31 implementing smartwatch apps, and a paired smartphone, to assist scheduling, navigation, orientation to time and communication, as well as monitor activity levels. The system was tested by five memory clinic patients and their spouses in a controlled lab setting.…”

“…The system was tested by five memory clinic patients and their spouses in a controlled lab setting. Initial feedback suggested only the scheduling, orientation and communication functions were usable (90%–100% success rate completing tasks using these functionalities, compared with 0% on the navigation and emergency help tasks) 31. Results from a follow-up home pilot are pending.…”

Mobile Phones and/or Smartphones and Their Use in the Management of Dementia – Findings from the Research Studies

“…On the basis of literature review, the research studies concerning the use of mobile phones and/ or smartphones by patients with dementia can be divided into several areas according to their focus as follows:  studies concentrating on the adoption and usability of these devices by patients with dementia; [6,[8][9][10][11]]  descriptive studies depicting the development of potential mobile phone/ smartphone apps for patients with dementia; [12][13]  studies exploring the role of these mobile devices for the assessment and diagnostic purposes; [14-16]  studies focusing on the actual use of mobile phones and/ or smartphones by patients with dementia. [17][18][19] Thorpe et al [6] explored the adoption of smartphone and smartwatch use among people with mild dementia. In their study they discovered that the smartphone should be used for input and smartwatch for output, e.g., notifications, orientation and behavior sensing.…”

“…And mobile devices appear to offer some benefits for enhancing the quality of life of these people, especially enabling them to stay independent and socially engaged in the early phases of this disease. [6] The purpose of this review study is to explore the use of mobile phones and/ or smartphones and their benefits and limitations for patients with dementia.…”