Technology and Dementia Preconference

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Science
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Individuals with Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), or early-onset dementia risk job loss.
• Workplace accommodations are crucial but can be challenging.
• Digital accommodations offer potential support for this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand the experiences of individuals with SCD, MCI, or early-onset dementia in the workplace.
• To identify tools utilized by these individuals to maintain employment.
• To explore opportunities for digital accommodations.

Main Methods:

• Two rounds of semi-structured interviews with 11 participants.
• Exploration of declarative knowledge, procedural skills, and work strategies.
• Analysis of task flows and desired assistive technology support.
• Reflexive thematic analysis of transcribed interviews.

Main Results:

• Participants work in diverse roles and industries.
• Eagerness to use emerging AI tools for accommodation was observed.
• Lack of in-the-moment adjustability in AI tools was a key challenge.
• AI tool usage can reveal cognitive changes, leading to self-consciousness and abandonment.

Conclusions:

• People with cognitive changes are proactive in finding technological solutions for work.
• Existing digital tools require modification for better usability.
• The personal impact of adopting emerging AI tools needs further consideration.