Selecting apps for people with mild dementia: Identifying user requirements for apps enabling meaningful activities and self-management

Abstract

Touchscreen devices (e.g. tablets) can be supportive for people with mild dementia. This study identified user requirements for the development of a tool for selecting usable apps in the domains of self-management and meaningful activities. Eight focus groups with people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia and informal carers were conducted using an exploratory study design. In study one, we identified meaningful activities and self-management support. In study two, we explored needs, wishes and abilities regarding the use of apps. The outcomes were analysed using inductive content analysis based on grounded theory. Three categories were identified in study one: (1) past meaningful activities, (2) present meaningful activities and (3) self-management support. Two categories emerged from the data of study two, with two and three themes, respectively. (1) Needs and wishes of users with regard to (a) the functionality of apps and (b) technical features of apps. (2) Abilities of users in terms of (a) physical and cognitive condition, (b) independent use of apps on a tablet and (c) skills to use the touchscreen and tablet. Based on these results, we will develop filters for people with mild dementia to select apps which match their individual needs, wishes and abilities.

User-participatory development of FindMyApps; a tool to help people with mild dementia find supportive apps for self-management and meaningful activities

“…On the one hand we wanted to meet the variety of needs regarding self-management and meaningful activities people with dementia may have by offering enough apps. 35 On the other hand, we wanted to prevent people with dementia from the need to endlessly click, which is a requirement for dementia-friendly interfaces. 22,35 At the same time, user experiences told us that combining many options for main and subcategories on one screen was not desirable.…”

“…35 On the other hand, we wanted to prevent people with dementia from the need to endlessly click, which is a requirement for dementia-friendly interfaces. 22,35 At the same time, user experiences told us that combining many options for main and subcategories on one screen was not desirable. We therefore decided to incorporate more pages with fewer possible options, supported by a clear and simple navigation.…”

“…During the first meeting with the expert team, the major principles of the tool were established on the basis of the scientific literature, 6,7,44 our previous study and best practices as well as the intended functionalities in FindMyApps. 35,45–47 The developers and designers from the software company translated these principles into a programme of requirements. Mock-ups were created in each sprint, and these were tested in order to assess whether they met the requirements.…”

“…Within the context of self-management and meaningful activities, the tool was based on an extensive inventory of the functional selection criteria of apps that related to the activities in which persons with dementia wished to engage, and an inventory of the technical selection criteria that related to their ability to use apps. 35 The tool will be used together with an introductory training to help people with dementia and family carers to learn to use the tablet, part of an innovative person-centred tablet intervention called FindMyApps. 36…”

CareD: Non-Pharmacological Assistance for Dementia Patients

“…They have the capability to assist them in dealing with this disease. The subjective exploratory research [19] was performed to discover the help of touchscreen gadgets (e.g., smart phones and tablets) for people with dementia. During the sessions, it was seen that individuals with dementia have the ability of adapting new aptitudes through a few training sessions and have capability in grasping new advancements.…”