Towards a More Social Orientation in Gerontechnology: Case Study of the “Reminiscence Stick”

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to investigate, through a case study, how social orientation can be realized in gerontechnology's objectives. The focus is on user-driven development process of an "mStick," which is a tool for storing various biographical material: photographs, texts, audio and video clips, and using it in elderly care services. Qualitative data were collected in 11 pilot cases. The content analysis was used to investigate how the "Gerontechnology's Five Ways": prevention, enhancement, compensation, care, and research, were applicable especially from the perspective of social implications. The mStick acts as a prevention by offering meaningful contents to life, as enhancement by offering a possibility to utilize elderly person's resources. It compensates weakening abilities by preventing the world from becoming narrower. In care, it helps to see patients as whole human beings with unique biography. In addition, mStick offers potential for, for example, applications in memory research. The implication of this study is to pay attention to gerontechnology's role in supporting the social nature of the human being.

Digital Storytelling in Older Adults With Typical Aging, and With Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia: A Systematic Literature Review

“…Co-creation was observed in several ways: (a) support given by facilitators to the older adults to create the digital story (Crete-Nishihata et al, 2012; H. Davis et al, 2015; Hamilton & Atkinson, 2009; Pekkarinen, Melkas, et al, 2013; Stenhouse et al, 2013); (b) participatory design (Damianakis et al, 2010; Njeru et al, 2015; Smith et al, 2009; Subramaniam & Woods, 2016); and (c) active engagement of older adults during the digital storytelling process (Briant et al, 2016; Waycott et al, 2017). Stenhouse et al (2013) proposed that digital storytelling is an arts-based method of representing experience of a person living with dementia.…”

“…A co-creation approach was used when participants lived with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (Crete-Nishihata et al, 2012; Damianakis et al, 2010; Pekkarinen, Melkas, et al, 2013; Smith et al, 2009; Stenhouse et al, 2013; Subramaniam & Woods, 2016), other chronic diseases (Briant et al, 2016; H. Davis et al, 2015; Njeru et al, 2015; Waycott et al, 2017), or an intellectual disability (Hamilton & Atkinson, 2009).…”

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

“…Thirty-one studies published between 2004 and 2021 were included (see Appendix 3). These included research articles (17/31), 25 – 41 conference articles (8/31), 42 – 49 theses (2/31), 50 , 51 discussion articles (1/31), 52 long papers (1/31), 53 ministry reports (1/31), 54 and a web-based presentation (1/31). 55 The included material originated from the United Kingdom (12/31), 25 , 26 , 31 , 33 , 41 , 43 , 45 , 47 , 52 – 55 Sweden (5/31), 32 , 38 , 40 , 50 , 51 Australia (3/31), 36 , 39 , 48 the United States (2/31), 28 , 30 Canada (2/31), 27 , ...…”

“… 36 DLSs could also help improve quality of life, making older adults with dementia proud of their lives. 33 , 37 , 44 DLSs might assist older adults with dementia maintain cognitive processes and preserve a sense of self and familiarity, where local references, culture and nature appear to be potential memory triggers. 27 …”

Could robots strengthen the sense of autonomy of older people residing in assisted living facilities?—A future-oriented study

“…It has often been highlighted that technology should not be taken as a substitute for human contacts and care (e.g. Sharkey 2014); nonetheless, it can help ensure a more effective and intensive way of communication (Cesta et al 2016;Pekkarinen et al 2013;Pekkarinen and Melkas 2017).…”