Digital tools for cognitive healthcare: Exploring perceptions of an everyday function app among midlife and older...

Early detection of cognitive decline may be effective in reducing the adverse impacts of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Given that functional declines precede ADRD evaluation and diagnosis, regular assessments of everyday function are an avenue for detecting cognitive performance changes. While app-based measures of everyday function and cognition are promising tools for early detection, perceptions of these tools' value remain unexamined. This study explored perceptions of an app-based measure of everyday function (i.e., comfort with sharing performance data and perceived utility in healthcare) with community-dwelling midlife and older adults in South Carolina, United States (N = 131, M_age = 67.08 years). Participants completed daily tasks through a mobile app objectively measuring everyday function then shared their feedback through a semi-structured interview. Our thematic analysis found that interest and confidence in utilizing this technology was connected to beliefs around the value of having real-time information about one's cognitive performance, experiences with healthcare providers, and trust in technology security and accuracy. Additionally, some adults have not thought critically about the role of these technologies in their healthcare. As health-tracking technology expands in cognitive healthcare, researchers and practitioners must be aware of midlife and older adults' perceptions and educate users on its potential function.