Acceptability of memory-aid technological devices for community-dwelling older adults with dementia to maintain quality of life

Muponda, Tracey

Abstract

The rising prevalence of dementia cases due to ageing population presents a global challenge. Despite different types of memory aid devices available, evidence reveal that it is not widely accepted (Thordardottir et al., 2019). The current study aimed to understand the attitudes of people living with dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) living in the community and caregivers on the factors influencing memory aid technologies acceptance.

A mixed research method was employed which used online survey data from 119 caregivers of people living with dementia for the quantitative approach, and the qualitative approach involved nine people living with dementia and MCI who were provided with a digital memory prompting calendar to provide their opinions based on a type of memory-aid technological device.

Results: the multiple regression analysis revealed that the technology acceptance model significantly predicted technology acceptance; perceived usefulness: β = .264, t (113) = 3.623, p< .001; perceived ease of use: β = .422, t (113) = 6.059, p < .001; and attitudes: β = .387, t (113) = 5.763, p < .001. Also, caregivers’ sense of competence; β = -.024, t (113) = -2.471, p = .015; age; β = .331, t (114) = 2.431, p=.017; and dementia severity: β =.145, t (114) = 4.521, p < .001 significantly predicted technology acceptance. However, experience with technology, β =.036, t (114) = .330, p=.724; technology possession, β=-.068, t (114) = -.234, p = .815; and education, β=.036, t (114) =.330, p=.724, did not significantly predict technology acceptance. The Chi-Squared analysis revealed that technology access was not significantly associated with household income, Χ² (5, 119) = 4.822, p = 0.438. The thematic analysis findings from the qualitative approach identified three themes; (1) self-preservation of dignity as illustrated by; “I think a lot of people cannot or will not admit that they are losing their marbles”, (2) past the age of learning as illustrated by “I’m sure they are very useful to a younger generation”, and (3) attitudes towards memory aid technologies as illustrated by; “Who would need one of those”. These demonstrated that the relationship with technology was complex and self-protective.

While this study has shown that memory aid technologies possess the potential of playing a significant role in dementia care, there are issues around its acceptance at the cost of diminishing the users’ sense of dignity because of the dementia it signifies. Future memory aid developments are recommended to be inclusive of intended users, clinicians and academic professionals to be involved in order to develop socially acceptable devices that could make the devices more acceptable.

Citation

Muponda, T. Acceptability of memory-aid technological devices for community-dwelling older adults with dementia to maintain quality of life. (Thesis). University of the West of England. Retrieved from https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10393789

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jan 29, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 31, 2023
• Keywords: dementia, assistive, technology, memory aid, support, care
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10393789
• Award Date: Jul 31, 2023