The use of a digital life story to support person-centred care of older adults with dementia: A scoping review

Abstract

Introduction A life story (LS) is a tool healthcare professionals (HCPs) use to help older adults with dementia preserve their identities by sharing their stories. Applied health technology can be considered a niche within welfare technology. Combining technology and nursing, such as using life stories in digital form, may support person-centred care and allow HCPs to see the person behind the disease. Objective The study's objective was to summarise and describe the use of life stories in digital form in the daily care of older adults with dementia. Methods A scoping review was conducted in five stages. Database searches were conducted in Cinahl, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar; 31 articles were included. A conventional qualitative content analysis of the collected data was conducted. Results The qualitative analysis resulted in three categories: (1) benefits for older adults, (2) influence on HCPs’ work, and (3) obstacles to implementing a digital LS in daily care. Conclusion Older adults with dementia can receive person-centred care through a digital LS based on their wishes. A digital LS can enable symmetric communication and serve as an intergenerational communication tool. It can be used to handle behavioural symptoms. Using a digital LS in the later stages of dementia may differ from using it earlier in dementia. However, it may compensate for weakening abilities in older adults by enhancing social interaction.