Using Mobile Applications in Caregiving: The User Experiences of Family Caregivers of Persons Living with Dementia

Abstract

To date, there is no research that explores the user experiences of family caregivers of persons living with dementia on using mobile applications to support caregiving activities. This is of particular concern given that limited understandings of the user experience in designing technology have often led to end-users experiencing barriers in technology adoption and use. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative descriptive study that used photo-elicitation interviewing was to explore the experiences of family caregivers of persons living with dementia on using mobile applications in their caregiving roles. The findings revealed how mobile applications played an important role in the lives of the caregiver, the care recipient, and both together as a dyad. This research advances our understanding of the impact of mobile application use in caregiving and provides direction for future research, policy, education, practice and application development.