In the sphere where dementia research meets innovations, there exists a potential in technology that can support something as seemingly trivial as “better conversations”. Researchers working in the DISTINCT project explored what technology-driven solutions show promise in facilitating communication and social interactions between people with dementia and their formal or informal caregivers. Their findings were recently published in the journal BMC Geriatrics.
The impact of dementia for communication skills can result in difficulties for people with dementia in keeping up in conversations as the conditions progresses, and the conversation partner might struggle to keep up meaningful exchanges. Photo albums, games and pet therapy are tools that already provide support, but technological devices can potentially offer more diverse and dynamic activities. The researchers found that by inviting technology into social interactions, it could serve as an icebreaker, increase the frequency and duration of social interactions, help the caregiver better understand the person with dementia, and reduce the pressure on the conversation partner to find topics to talk about.
Dementia research that includes the role of technology in social health encompasses devices ranging from tablet- or computer-based activities, social robots and even 3D-printing. However, the majority of the social interventions using technology to promote social interactions and support “better conversations” are small-scale studies at this point. Nonetheless, the researchers found great potential in technology that promotes social interaction in a way that relieves strain on the caregiver, enhances relationships and engages people with dementia in social activities. Robust research is still needed to confirm these findings.
https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-021-02105-0
