Technology usability for people living with dementia: Concept analysis (Preprint)

Abstract

Usability is a key indicator of the quality of technology products. In tandem with technological advancements, potential utilization by individuals with dementia is increasing. However, defining the usability of technology for individuals with dementia remains an ongoing challenge. The diverse and progressive nature of dementia adds complexity to the creation of universal usability criteria, highlighting the need for focused deliberations. Technological interventions offer potential benefits for dementia patients and caregivers. Amidst COVID-19, technology's role in healthcare access grows, especially among older adults. Enabling the diverse population of people living with dementia to enjoy the benefits of AI technologies requires particular attention to their needs, desires, capabilities, and vulnerabilities to harm from AI applications. Successful technological interventions for dementia require meticulous consideration of technology usability.

This study aimed to is to identify existing definitions of technology usability among people living with dementia and determine their applicability for evaluating the outcomes of using technology for individuals afflicted by dementia.

Walker and Avant’s framework was used to guide this concept analysis. A literature review spanned 1983 to 2023, exploring technology usability for people with dementia through PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases using keywords "technology usability" and "dementia." We also incorporated clinical definitions and integrated interview data from 29 dyads comprising individuals with mild Alzheimer's dementia and their respective care partners, resulting in a total of 57 older adults. This approach aims to offer a more comprehensive portrayal of the usability of individuals living with dementia, emphasizing a practical perspective.

The evidence from the literature review unveiled that usability encompasses attributes like acceptable learnability, efficiency, and satisfaction. The clinical perspective on dementia stages, subtypes, and symptoms underscores the importance of tailored technology usability assessment. Feedback from 29 dyads also emphasized the value of simplicity, clear navigation, age-sensitive design, personalized features, and audio support. Thus, design should prioritize personalized assistance for individuals living with dementia, moving away from standardized technological approaches.

Usability is crucial for people living with dementia when designing technological interventions, it necessitates an understanding of user characteristics, dementia stages, symptoms, needs, and tasks. Consideration of varied physical requirements, potential sensory loss, and age-related changes. Disease progression requires adapting to evolving symptoms. Recommendations include versatile, multifunctional technology designs, accommodating diverse needs, and adjusting software functionalities for personalization. Product feature classification can be flexible based on user conditions.