Use of technology by people with dementia and informal carers during COVID‐19: A cross‐country comparison

Abstract

Objectives: Considering the adverse outcomes of COVID-19, it is essential to provide adequate support and care for people with dementia and informal carers.Technology can reduce the distress associated with social distancing rules and the decreased access to in-person services. This study aimed to explore the use of technology and its perceived effects across different settings and countries. Methods:The sample was composed of 127 informal carers and 15 people with dementia from the UK, Italy, Australia and Poland. Semi-structured interviews explored participants' experiences of using technology and their perceived effects.Transcripts were analysed by researchers in each country using an inductive approach.Results: Three overarching themes were developed: (1) Technology kept us alive during COVID-19; (2) Remote care was anything but easy; (3) Perceived technology limitations. Many similarities emerged between countries supporting the role of technology for being socially engaged, having a routine, and staying active. However, the benefits of technology for health and psychosocial care were more limited.Across countries, barriers to the access and use of technology included lack of digital literacy, dementia severity, and lack of appropriate digital environments.Help and supervision from carers were also necessary and sometimes perceived as an additional burden. Conclusions:Technology can effectively reduce the shrinking world that may be amplified by the pandemic, thus preserving people with dementia's social skills and maintaining family connections. However, for more extensive and well-adapted use of technology in dementia care, actions should be taken to overcome the barriers to the access and use of technology by older and vulnerable people globally.

Using digital technologies to facilitate social inclusion during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Experiences of co‐resident and non‐co‐resident family carers of people with dementia from DETERMIND‐C19

“…Taken together, our findings support other qualitative research that has suggested ICT could be beneficial for the well‐being of carers and people with dementia during the pandemic 36,42 . They add to this current knowledge base by outlining how ICT, and to some extent AT, were used by both co‐resident and non‐co‐resident carers from multiple socio‐economic backgrounds to enable them to fulfil different aspects of their caring role and so retain aspects of their social inclusion despite the restrictions.…”

People affected by dementia had mixed experiences of using technology during COVID-19

“…This study emphasises the value of telehealth in keeping us linked, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness 1. It also reinforced the benefit of keeping patients and caregivers more informed and improving behavioural symptoms 1.…”

“…The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light the need to adopt technology in healthcare systems worldwide due to the need for physical distancing and isolation measures, especially in the older adult group 1 2. Several studies have been conducted on telemedicine services for older adults with cognitive impairment, which have shown benefits such as being an effective, convenient and low-cost option.…”

“…Several studies have been conducted on telemedicine services for older adults with cognitive impairment, which have shown benefits such as being an effective, convenient and low-cost option. They also found barriers in providing care, such as accessibility, digital literacy1–3 and sensory alterations, specifically hearing loss and visual impairment 3…”

Associations of remote mental healthcare with clinical outcomes: a natural language processing enriched electronic health record data study protocol

“… 3 However, some patients are likely to find remote technology less helpful than others. They may lack necessary equipment and reliable internet connectivity, be unfamiliar and uncomfortable with the technology, or have mental disorders such as dementia 5 and schizophrenia 6 that affect their motivation and cognitive functioning making it difficult to participate in remote care. Patients, carers and clinicians may also have concerns about privacy and security.…”