Technology for home dementia care: A prototype locating system put to the test

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Assistive Technology

Background:

• User experience with locating systems for persons with dementia and their caregivers is not well-established.
• Locating systems aim to support individuals with dementia and their caregivers in home environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the user experience, including usability, functions, and features, of a prototype locating system.
• To assess caregiver burden, self-efficacy, usage frequency, and purchase willingness.
• To identify areas for improvement in locating system design for dementia care.

Main Methods:

• Eighteen dyads (persons with dementia and primary caregivers) participated in a 4-week trial of a prototype locating system.
• Usability, functions, features, caregiver burden, self-efficacy, and purchase willingness were measured at baseline and after 4 weeks.
• Statistical analyses included correlations and descriptive statistics to compare changes over time.

Main Results:

• Usability ratings were fair but significantly decreased after 4 weeks of use.
• The prototype was infrequently used, yet most caregivers expressed willingness to purchase it, with men showing higher willingness than women.
• No significant changes were observed in technological willingness, caregiver burden, or perceived self-efficacy. Perceived self-efficacy negatively correlated with purchase willingness.

Conclusions:

• End-user involvement in the research and development of locating systems is crucial for enhancing user experience in home dementia care.
• Future research should include randomized controlled trials with larger samples and focus on innovative hardware and software solutions.
• Improving the long-term usability and user experience is essential for the successful adoption of locating systems in dementia care.