Digital technology use and dementia among older adults: the moderating role of activity limitations

This study aims to examine the longitudinal association between digital technology use and dementia among U.S. older adults by integrating comprehensive measures of technology use and assessing the moderating role of activity limitations.

Using 12 waves of data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS, N = 5,469), we employed mixed-effects ordered logistic models to examine the relationship between digital technology use and dementia. Inverse probability weighting (IPW) was applied to adjust for selection into the group of digital technology users at baseline. We further examined whether three types of activity limitations (i.e., mobility, self-care activities, and household activities) moderated these associations.

Everyday technology use was associated with a higher probability of no dementia [Average Marginal Effect (AME) = 0.08, 95% confidential interval (CI): 0.07, 0.09] and lower probabilities of both possible dementia [AME = -0.04, 95% CI: -0.04, -0.03] and probable dementia (AME = -0.04, 95% CI: -0.05, -0.03). Similar patterns were found for digital health technology use. Activity limitations significantly moderated these associations, with stronger associations observed among older adults with limitations than among those without.

Our findings highlight digital technology engagement as a scalable strategy to mitigate dementia risk among older adults. Policy efforts should prioritize inclusive digital programs to promote accessibility and digital literacy. Stronger associations observed among older adults with activity limitations suggest digital engagement as a promising strategy to mitigate the dual burden of disability and dementia.