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The efficiency of using everyday technological devices by older adults: the role of cognitive functions
- Authors:
- SLEGERS Karin, VAN BOXTELL Martin P. J., JOLLES Jelle
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 29(2), February 2009, pp.309-325.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
To test the role of cognitive abilities in performing technological tasks, the authors designed the Technological Transfer Test (TTT). This new and ecologically valid test comprises eight technological tasks that are common in modern life (operating a CD player, a telephone, an ATM, a train-ticket vending machine, a microwave-oven, an alarm clock, a smart card charging device and a telephone voice menu). The TTT and a comprehensive battery of cognitive tests were administered to 236 healthy adults aged 64–75 years living in the Netherlands on two separate occasions. The results demonstrated that the performance time for five of the eight tasks was predicted by cognitive abilities. The exact cognitive functions affecting technological performance varied by the technological task. Among several measures and components of cognition, the speed of information processing and cognitive flexibility had the greatest predictive power. The results imply that age-related cognitive decline has a profound effect on the interaction between older adults and technological appliances.
I robot, I care
- Author:
- SAMUEL Mithran
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 20.1.11, 2011, pp.26-27.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
A three-year Mobiserv project aims to develop a telecare system to help older people live more independently an stay healthy using a robot. The project is funded by a European Union grant, and brings together nine organisations from seven countries. The partners include the University of the West of England. Progress so far, the functions and features of the robot and peoples reaction to it are presented.
Cognitive support for elders through technology
- Authors:
- ROGERS Wendy A., FISK Arthur D.
- Journal article citation:
- Generations, 30(2), Summer 2006, pp.38-43.
- Publisher:
- American Society on Aging
Describe an innovative research programme at Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States, which focused on the development of 'aware home technology', that is cognitive interventions for older adults that support the maintenance of their health and well-being.
The potential of technology to ease the care provider's burden
- Author:
- MANN William C.
- Journal article citation:
- Generations, 25(1), Spring 2001, pp.44-48.
- Publisher:
- American Society on Aging
High technology homecare has been defined as "those in-home methods of diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation that are physically embodied in specialised equipment and related supplies and services". This article will discuss several categories of assistive devices that render caregiving physically or emotionally easier, including those that assist with basic activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, environmental control, and monitoring of health and behaviour.
Autominder: a case study of assistive technology for elders with cognitive impairment
- Author:
- POLLACK Martha E.
- Journal article citation:
- Generations, 30(2), Summer 2006, pp.67-69.
- Publisher:
- American Society on Aging
Autominder is an assistive technology system developed at the University of Michigan, United States, that aims to support people with cognitive impairment by providing them with flexible, adaptive, and personalized reminders about their daily activities. This article briefly describes Autominders's capabilities.
ICT in the elderly and dementia
- Author:
- NUGENT I. C.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 11(5), September 2007, pp.473-476.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can be used in a number of ways to improve the living experience and quality of life of people within their home environment and beyond. It is perhaps possible to consider three distinct areas in which ICT may be successfully deployed. In the first instance ICT can be used to accommodate or support the ongoing needs of a person during their normal day-to-day activities, for example reminding systems for medication management. Alternatively, ICT can be used to provide access to information content on how to manage a specific medical problem. In the second instance ICT can be to used provide restoration or improvement of a given function, for example by motivating people to have increased levels of physical activity as a form of rehabilitation Thirdly and finally, ICT can be used as a preventative measure, for example, to detect the likely onset of a clinical condition and subsequently provide an increased amount of time to provide an intervention prior to exacerbation of a disease.
Promoting older adults' well-being through Internet training and use
- Authors:
- SHAPIRA N., BARAK A., GAL I.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 11(5), September 2007, pp.477-484.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The purpose of the current research was to test the psychological impact of learning how to use computers and the Internet in old age, hypothesizing that such activities would contribute to seniors' well-being and personal sense of empowerment. Employing a quasi-experimental research design, a course in computer operation and Internet browsing was offered to 22 older adults (mean age of 80) who went to day-care centers for the elderly or resided in nursing homes. A comparison group of 26 participants (similar in all major respects) was engaged in other activities. Both groups were administered measures of physical functioning, life satisfaction, depression, loneliness and self-control at pre- and post-intervention four months later. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants who finished the computer course. ANCOVA was employed for controlling the effects of control variables and pre-intervention differences on participants who completed the activities. Results showed a significant improvement among participants in the intervention group in all measures except physical functioning, whereas deterioration in all measures was detected in the comparison group. Computer and Internet use seems to contribute to older adults' well-being and sense of empowerment by affecting their interpersonal interactions, promoting their cognitive functioning and contributing to their experience of control and independence.
Using simple technology to prompt multistep tasks in the home for people with dementia: an exploratory study comparing prompting formats
- Authors:
- BOYD Hazel C., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 16(4), 2017, pp.424-442.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Objectives: To investigate the relative effectiveness of different prompts for people with dementia during multistep tasks in the home, to inform prompting technology design. Methods: Nine pairs of participants (one with dementia and a partner or relative) participated at home. The participants with mild to moderate dementia (5M/4F, aged 73–86 years) functioned at the Planned or Exploratory levels of the Pool Activity Level instrument. A touchscreen computer displayed different prompts during two set tasks: “card-and-envelope” and “CD player.” The trials were scored to establish the relative effectiveness of the prompts. Individual tasks were also explored. Results: Text and audio prompts were each more effective than video or picture prompts for a card-and-envelope task, but this was not seen in a CD player task. The differences may be related to the type of actions within the tasks; the card-and-envelope actions were easier to convey verbally; the CD player actions lent themselves to visual prompts. Conclusions: Designers of technology-based prompts for people with dementia should consider that the effectiveness of different prompts is likely to be task dependent. Familiar, unambiguous language can increase the success of tailored prompts. There are significant practical challenges associated with choosing and deconstructing everyday tasks at home. (Publisher abstract)
Opportunity knocks: designing solutions for an ageing society
- Authors:
- SINCLAIR David, CREIGHTON Helen
- Publisher:
- International Longevity Centre UK
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 30
- Place of publication:
- London
Report exploring how good design, technology and innovation could better respond to the challenges of an ageing society. The report begins by assessing the scale of the challenge, looking at the implications of an ageing society and the technological progress already made. It then highlights why technology and design hasn't fulfilled its potential in tackling ageing and outlines what needs to happen to resolve this. The second half of the report looks at five specific challenges facing an ageing population: healthcare, the home environment, leisure, transport and money. It details ways in which existing technologies might be better applied, and new technologies might be developed, to support the needs of older people. The ideas are not designed specifically for ageing, but aim to ensure that older people can maximise the benefit of new technology. Ideas include: a kettle which monitors blood pressure; TV buddies to allow people to remotely share the experience of watching a programme; and a smart water bottle which would prompt people to drink more to prevent dehydration. The suggestions originate from a workshop of experts held in May 2015. The report has been produced by ILC-UK, in conjunction with the University of Cambridge’s Engineering Design Centre and the Institute of Engineering and Technology. (Edited publisher abstract)
Learning and using technology in intertwined processes: a study of people with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease
- Authors:
- ROSENBERG Lena, NYGARD Louise
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 13(5), 2014, pp.662-677.
- Publisher:
- Sage
People with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease are likely to be challenged by the multitude of everyday technology in today’s society. The aim of this study was to explore how they try to prohibit, avoid or solve problems in everyday technology use, maintain skills, and learn to use new technology. To explore how the participants applied and reasoned about using everyday technology in real-life situations interviews were conducted while the participants used their own technology in their homes. Interviews were conducted with 20 participants with mild cognitive impairment (n = 10) or Alzheimer’s disease (n = 10). The analyses were inspired from grounded theory and resulted in one core category and three sub-categories that represent sub-processes in the core. The core finding presents a continuous, intertwined process of learning and using everyday technology, highlighting how the context was interwoven in the processes. The participants used a rich variety of management strategies when approaching technology, including communication with the everyday technologies on different levels. The findings underscore that it is important to support continued use of everyday technology as long as it is valued and relevant to the person with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease. The intertwined process of learning and using everyday technology suggests how support could target different sub-processes. (Publisher abstract)