A recent study found that digital assistive technologies (DATs) can improve quality of life for people living with dementia. Use of DATs were found to be most beneficial in enabling people with dementia to complete daily tasks that allowed them to age in place, live independently and maintain their dignity, and improve their health.

The study, “Impact of digital assistive technologies on the quality of life for people with dementia: a scoping review,” was published in BMJ Open, Volume 14, Issue 2. Authors are Charlotte Schneider, Marcia Nißen, Tobias Kowatsch, and Rasita Vinay from ETH Zürich, University of St. Gallen, and University of Zurich in Switzerland.

An extensive literature review looked at the effectiveness of digital therapeutics, patient monitoring, digital diagnostics, care support, and health system clinical software. It found nine categories in which DATs can contribute to better care and quality of life:

• Preserving autonomy
• Engagement
• Social interaction
• Health monitoring and promotion
• Improving activities of daily living
• Cognition
• Maintaining dignity
• Managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia
• Safety/surveillance

The review found that DATs enable people with dementia to continue engaging in daily activities, to stay socially connected, and to track bodily functions. However, in some people with dementia, DATs worsened dementia symptoms and caused anxiety, especially around the technology itself.

Further research is needed to better understand the potential and to study “the less-represented digital health technologies, such as care support, health & wellness or software,” said the article.

The authors also suggested research into technologies that tap artificial intelligence: “Considering future research directions, for example, in the context of voice assistants and advancements in large language models, would be of importance, as they facilitate the development of an interface that is more intuitive and natural, without demanding a high degree of dexterity.”

LeadingAge CAST Technology Selection Tools

If you are looking to integrate these technologies, please consult the LeadingAge CAST Technology Selection Tools. The technology selection tools were developed to help aging services providers learn of various technologies available on the market and choose the ones that best fit their needs. Each tool contains a white paper with background on the technology, an online matrix and selection tool to help narrow the available choices, and provider case studies.

The Safety Technology Selection Tool, Social Connectedness and Engagement Selection Tool, and Telehealth and RPM Selection Tool may offer assistance in finding the DATs that are the best fit for your organization.