Technology Studies to Meet the Needs of People With Dementia and Their Caregivers

Abstract

The aim of this article is to present the findings of a review of studies that focused on technology supporting people with dementia and their caregivers. A literature search was carried out in eight scientific literature databases covering literature published between January 1992 and February 2007. A total of 46 studies providing original data and one review were included in this review. Analyses covered the aims of the studies, the technology used, study design, methods, outcome variables, and results. Most studies were carried out in residential care and focused on the needs of formal caregivers. Only a few studies involved people with dementia actively using the technology. The studies are difficult to compare because of the large variety of aims, technologies, design, and outcome measurements. There is a need for more research in this area, in particular, with people who have a mild stage dementia living in the community.

Designing the Health-related Internet of Things: Ethical Principles and Guidelines

“…Benefits to user safety are often the basis for adoption. However, safety interests can act as a constraint on autonomy, insofar as a "need" for H-IoT is perceived from the user that leads to adopting a device or service that would otherwise not be used [21,22]. Autonomy is constrained insofar as the patient experiences (both internally and externally imposed) pressure to use H-IoT.…”

“…Developers can build on work undertaken in the context of governance of medical data repositories (e.g., biobanks, patient registries) and sharing platforms [22,84]. Among such platforms in Europe, the European Medical Informatics Framework (EMIF) features one of the broadest (in terms of scale and data types) and demonstrative governance structures.…”

Betyr Alzheimers sykdom demens?

“…Assistive technologies are tools that can be used to maintain independent living, improve the safety and autonomy of people with dementia, and support their quality of life by enhancing their peace of mind and that of their family caregivers (335,337,338). Examples include alarm sensors to prevent individuals from wandering away, sensors to turn off gas or stove, and pill dispensers that tweet, text or e-mail caregivers if pills are not taken at the appropriate time.…”

“…initial level of burden). More research and evaluation in programme settings needs to be done to assess the benefit and cost-effectiveness of the use of technology (338).…”

The Ethical Implications of Personal Health Monitoring

“…Despite this, systems are often promoted as protecting or enhancing the safety of users (Nordgren, 2012), particularly among individuals with dementia and their caregivers (Lauriks, Reinersmann, Van der Roest, Meiland, Davies, Moelaert et al 2007). Safety appeared as a 'goal' that trumped concerns related to the other seven themes, particularly in studies of dementia caregiver attitudes, who often emphasise safety and peace of mind over other values, particularly privacy and autonomy Topo, 2009). Caution should be exercised in employing safety as a trump card in the decision to use PHM, especially for persons lacking the capacity to consent.…”