While the technological development available to society is taking quantum leaps, we have little knowledge of how people with mild dementia manage to cope with familiar technology at home, such as television and electronic household machines, or new technology, such as remote controls, cell phones and computers. As this technology represents a potential problem area, the aim of this qualitative, exploratory study was to identify and characterize difficulties with and hindrances to using everyday technology, as they appeared in data, for persons with early stage dementia. Eight participants with dementia were included in an extensive data collection consisting of repeated interviews and observations made in the home; the data were analyzed adopting a constant comparative approach. The results exhibit a taxonomy of difficulties in four domains, encompassing conditions that interfere with the use of the technology, deficiencies in knowledge and in the communication between users and their technology, and limitations in the use of instructions. Typically, difficulties appeared in complex combinations. They arose when familiar technology was being used, and not only when new technology was to be used. This raised concerns about the need these people have for support in home and in society. Further research is needed to validate the findings.

The aim of this study was to map out and describe difficulties and response strategies in telephone use among elderly, noninstitutionalized persons with dementia living alone. To obtain explorative data, interviews and observations in the homes were undertaken with 10 participants diagnosed with dementia. The participants were observed when showing their telephones, calling a well-known number, responding to a request previously sent by letter to make a telephone call, and finding a number in the telephone directories. The data were analysed using a comparative approach, and resulted in descriptive categories. The participants' difficulties were categorized as difficulty in 'knowing what', 'knowing where', 'knowing how' and overcoming motor, perceptual, verbal and environmental obstacles. In responding to these, they used a variety of environmentally related strategies such as using perception or habits and habitual places, verbalizing aloud, seeking help from others, and adjusting the physical environment. They also used a few cognitively related strategies such as repeating and stopping and reflecting. Overall, difficulties were frequent and common, and the effectiveness of the strategies was questionable. The results indicate that it might be unrealistic to assume that elderly persons with symptoms of dementia who live alone are able to satisfactorily use the telephone for safety, communication and participation in society.

BackgroundPersons with dementia might have considerable difficulties in using an ordinary telephone. Being able to use the telephone can be very important in order to maintain their social network, getting stimulation and for reaching help when needed. Therefore, persons with dementia might need an easy-to-use videophone to prevent social isolation and to feel safe and independent. This study reports the evaluation of the usability of a touch-screen videophone mock-up for persons with dementia and their significant others.MethodsFour persons with dementia and their significant others tested the videophone mock-up at a living laboratory. In order to gain knowledge of the participants’ with dementia ability to use their own computers and telephones, interviews and observations were conducted.ResultsOverall, the participants had a very positive attitude towards the videophone. The participants with dementia perceived that it was useful, enjoyable and easy to use, although they initially had difficulties in understanding how to handle some functions, thus indicating that the design needs to be further developed to be more intuitive.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that the videophone has the potential to enable telephone calls without assistance and add quality in communication.

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