‘I’d be lost without my smartphone’: a qualitative analysis of the use of smartphones and tablets by people living with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and their caregivers

Wilson, Samantha A ORCID: 0000-0002-7959-052X, Byrne, Paula and Rodgers, Sarah E ORCID: 0000-0002-4483-0845 (2023) ‘I’d be lost without my smartphone’: a qualitative analysis of the use of smartphones and tablets by people living with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and their caregivers. Aging and Mental Health, 28 (4). pp. 1-9.

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Abstract

<h4>Objectives</h4>Smartphone and tablet devices appear to offer some benefits for enhancing the quality of life of people living with dementia, especially enabling them to stay independent and socially engaged in the early stages of the disease. However, there remains a need to understand the ways that these devices may enhance the lived experience of people living with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and their caregivers.<h4>Methods</h4>We interviewed 29 people living with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and their caregivers to explore their experiences of and attitudes towards smartphones and tablets.<h4>Results</h4>We generated three main themes: smart devices in practice as a person living with cognitive impairment; living in a digital world, and smart devices as appropriate and easily accessible support for everyday living. Smart devices were seen as valuable, versatile tools to complete essential and meaningful activities, and as necessary devices to participate in modern life. There was a strong desire for greater support to learn to use smart devices to facilitate living well with cognitive impairment.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The lived experience of people living with dementia and mild cognitive impairment emphasises the central role of smart devices in their lives, and the need for research to move beyond rehearsal of what is needed to co-production and evaluation of smart technology-based educational interventions.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Humans, Dementia, Quality of Life, Caregivers, Smartphone, Cognitive Dysfunction
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	25 May 2023 10:16
Last Modified:	02 Apr 2024 09:30
DOI:	10.1080/13607863.2023.2205585
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2023.2205585
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3170664