Living with mild cognitive decline in connection with technology

Worldwide population ageing entails challenges for independent living due to the increasing prevalence of cognitive decline. Technologies can be considered an innovative strategy to support independent living, or ageing in place, in the population of older adults with mild cognitive decline. However, research indicates that technology implementation among this population is not without issues. This dissertation provides an overview of promising technologies for this specific population and a thorough understanding of the processes involved in technology adoption among this population. First, a systematic review of technological solutions and their potential effectiveness in the context of supporting ageing in place among older adults and informal caregivers was conducted. Second, a large study on multidimensional determinants of internet use among older adults with varying degrees of cognitive frailty, operationalized as subjective cognitive decline, was performed. Third, a comprehensive qualitative study involving older adults with mild cognitive decline, informal caregivers and professional caregivers was undertaken to gain a deeper understanding of the determinants of technology implementation and its dynamic processes. Fourth, a multiple-country qualitative study focused on the professional caregivers’ perspective in this regard. And lastly, a conceptual position paper was written offering directions on the development and implementation of a decision support tool aimed at supporting older adults with mild cognitive decline as well as informal and professional caregivers in informed decision-making on the adoption of technologies. This dissertation may inspire researchers, technology developers, clinical practitioners and policymakers to remove barriers to successful technology implementation in this population.Worldwide population ageing entails challenges for independent living due to the increasing prevalence of cognitive decline. Technologies can be considered an innovative strategy to support independent living, or ageing in place, in the population of older adults with mild cognitive decline. However, research indicates that technology implementation among this population is not without issues. This dissertation provides an overview of promising technologies for this specific population and a thorough understanding of the processes involved in technology adoption among this population. First, a systematic review of technological solutions and their potential effectiveness in the context of supporting ageing in place among older adults and informal caregivers was conducted. Second, a large study on multidimensional determinants of internet use among older adults with varying degrees of cognitive frailty, operationalized as subjective cognitive decline, was performed. Third, a comprehensive qualitative study involving older adults with mild cognitive decline, informal caregivers and professional caregivers was undertaken to gain a deeper understanding of the determinants of technology implementation and its dynamic processes. Fourth, a multiple-country qualitative study focused on the professional caregivers’ perspective in this regard. And lastly, a conceptual position paper was written offering directions on the development and implementation of a decision support tool aimed at supporting older adults with mild cognitive decline as well as informal and professional caregivers in informed decision-making on the adoption of technologies. This dissertation may inspire researchers, technology developers, clinical practitioners and policymakers to remove barriers to successful technology implementation in this population.

Publication year:2022

Keywords:Aging, Independent Living, Cognitive decline, Technology

Accessibility:Open