Significant junctures on the way towards becoming a user of assistive technology in Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe how persons in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) became users of assistive technology (AT), and what the use of AT came to mean to these users and, when relevant, their significant others. Methods: Persons with AD were provided with individually chosen AT during a six-month period. Semi-structured interviews were conducted during the intervention period. The data were analysed with a constant comparative approach. Results: On the way towards becoming a user of AT, four junctures were identified, at which significant decisions were made by the participants. These decisions influenced whether to become a user or not and related to how the initial decision was made, how the routines to incorporate the AT were adjusted, whether the participant trusted the AT, and whether the participants felt an increased sense of capacity when using the AT. As users, the participants perceived how time and effort was saved, how worries and stress decreased, and how their sense of safety increased, which enabled them to perform valued activities, e.g. health-promoting and social activities, to a greater extent and in a more relaxed way than before. Conclusions: The findings support the view that AT can positively affect the activity performance of people with AD when the potential user can identify difficulties and needs and is motivated and able to make changes to overcome them, given that appropriate human support is available.

Key words::

• ADL
• cognitive impairment
• significant others

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the participants and their significant others for taking part in the interventions and data collection. They also wish to thank Mona-Lisa Hägvide, Karolinska Institutet, who collected parts of the data, Stefan Lundberg, Assistant Professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology for technical consultations, and the AT companies that provided consultations, support, and in some cases also AT free of charge. The Swedish Brain Power network and the FAS research program Aging in Place supported the study financially.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.