Emerging Technologies for Preventing the ‘New’ Dementia: Ambiguous Optimism in the Canadian Context

Figures & data

Table 1. Experts involved in developing preventive technologies for dementia, their tools and targeted risk factors.

	Can CanTech 1	Can CanTech 2	Can CanTech 3	Ca CanTech 4	Can CanTech 5	Can CanTech 6	CanTech 7
Tools	Online tool for personalized dementia risk prediction	App for changing lifestyle + personal counseling	Tele Robotics in care settings	Smart home technologies; AI and digital monitoring	Tech supporting lifestyle changes/ Brain health assessment tool	Nutrition App/Technologies to support people in daily life	Brain health assessment tool
Targeted risk factors	Informing users of their “biggest” modifiable risk factors, targeting current and future risk factors that one can act upon. Examples: current and future smoking, physical activity, diet, social isolation, depression and mental health, education level, chronic health conditions.	Targets modifiable risk factors to encourage lifestyle changes in three categories: physical activity, healthy eating, and intellectual stimulation.	The telepresence robot targets risk factors related to social activity, loneliness, and social isolation.	Smart home technologies act as a predictive tool for changes in one’s health and behavior. The AI technology identifies patterns in cognitive behavior and physical activities, monitoring daily living activities.	Focus on modifiable risk factors for dementia, including lifestyle risk factors (exercise, diet, loneliness, and social isolation) and health factors (stress, cardiovascular health). Technologies aim to modify lifestyle risk behaviors.	The nutrition app targets diet and healthy eating, monitoring, and keeping track of one’s eating habits. The app also supports cognitive and physical engagement.	Their Smart Tracker Tool monitors one’s overall wellness and health, targeting modifiable risk factors such as physical activity, diet, and social isolation. The tool also monitors sleep as a risk factor for dementia.