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The use of digital technologies by people with mild to moderate dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A positive technology perspective.

Talbot, C. V. and Briggs, P., 2022. The use of digital technologies by people with mild to moderate dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A positive technology perspective. Dementia, 21 (4), 1363-1380.

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DOI: 10.1177/14713012221079477

Abstract

A growing body of research has shown that people with dementia are using digital technologies to enhance lived experience. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new digital opportunities and challenges and so provides a unique opportunity to understand how people with dementia have adapted to this new digital landscape. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 people with dementia and analysed thematically. We generated five themes, showing how participants used digital means to combat the stresses of the pandemic by facilitating social connection, self-actualisation, enhanced wellbeing, and by assisting with activities of daily life. These technologies helped to reduce isolation, provide access to support groups, create opportunities for cognitive stimulation and self-development, and engendered a sense of identity at a time of perceived loss. Despite these benefits, participants also reported challenges regarding cognitive fatigue and usability issues. We recommend that training on how to use digital technologies is co-developed for people with dementia and designers engage with the voices of people with dementia throughout the design process. In turn, this could promote the social connectedness, wellbeing, and self-worth of people with dementia.

Item Type:Article
ISSN:1471-3012
Additional Information:This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council [grant number EP/MO23001/1]
Uncontrolled Keywords:Alzheimer; social media; online communities; social inclusion; support
Group:Faculty of Science & Technology
ID Code:36547
Deposited By: Symplectic RT2
Deposited On:31 Jan 2022 08:48
Last Modified:18 May 2022 15:00

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