Using mobile devices and apps to support reflective learning about older people with dementia

Abstract

There has been little research to develop computing technologies to support the care of people with dementia, in spite of the growing challenges that the condition poses for society. To design such technologies, an existing model of computer-support reflective learning was instantiated with findings from a pre-design study in one residential home. The result was a mobile device running an adapted enterprise social media app to support person-centred care. Evaluations of the device and app in two residential homes revealed that use of the app both motivated and increased different styles of care note recording, but little reflective learning was identified or reported. The results suggest the need for more comprehensive and flexible computer-based support for reflective learning about residents in their care – and new designs of this more comprehensive support are also introduced.

Keywords:

• dementia care
• reflective learning
• mobile apps
• formative evaluations

Conflict of interest disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

The research reported in this paper is supported by the EU-funded MIRROR integrated project [257617, 2010-1].