Abstract
Everyday technologies, such as laptops and tablets, are often used for enjoyment, pleasure, leisure and social participation. Despite this, whilst considerable research has investigated exploring people's experiences of using assistive technologies, it is not clear how everyday technologies are experienced by individuals living with dementia. The aims of this review were to explore the experiences and views of people living with dementia and carers about using everyday technology to enhance their well-being and enjoyment, social engagement, participation and leisure as well as understand their views about the usability of everyday technology in dementia. A systematic search of the literature was conducted using the electronic databases: PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, CINAHL Complete and EThOS. Five qualitative studies and five mixed-method studies were included and synthesised using a narrative approach. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Qualitative Quality Appraisal, which uncovered key variation in the quality of the included, synthesised studies. The review suggests that everyday technologies can help support well-being, particularly when technology is used in a group setting and when individuals received the right amount of support to help engage in the technology. Four major themes relating to experiences and views were derived from the findings of the 10 included studies: 'Technology use maintaining a sense of identity', 'Assumptions held by the self and others', 'The importance of others' and 'The usability of technology influencing effective engagement'. Overall, everyday technologies appear to have a positive impact on different aspects of the well-being of people living with dementia. Clinical implications of these findings include supporting opportunities for people living with dementia to use everyday technology for enjoyment and making these technologies more widely available and accessible.
Highlights
Wellbeing is a fundamental aspect of being human and can be conceptualised in terms of positive emotions, engagement in meaningful activities, positive relationships, meaning, and sense of achievement (Seligman, 2012)
Studies focusing on technology use for leisure, social participation and engagement in a population other than individuals living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment and respective caregiver views (e.g. Parkinson’s)
In line with the procedure outlined by Popay et al (2006), relevant information was extracted using a data extraction form, and a preliminary synthesis was created through grouping studies by modality of technology use and tabulating findings according to the review questions before synthesising initial themes
Summary
Wellbeing is a fundamental aspect of being human and can be conceptualised in terms of positive emotions, engagement in meaningful activities, positive relationships, meaning, and sense of achievement (Seligman, 2012). Because screen-based technologies hold potential for facilitating leisure activities in dementia care, and enhancing wellbeing, it is important to understand the views and experiences of individuals living with dementia with regard to using such technologies for these purposes. A qualitative systematic literature review incorporating the views of people living with dementia and their care partners would provide a unique and deeper understanding of experiences of using screen-based everyday technology in relation to the social environment. This will help clarify how technological interventions can help influence enjoyment, pleasure, effective social participation and engagement. What experiences and views do people with dementia and their care partners have in relation to the usability of screen-based everyday technology in dementia?
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