[Quality of life of nursing home residents with dementia before, during and after playing with a magic table]

From assistive to inclusive? A systematic review of the uses and effects of technology to support people with pervasive support needs

BACKGROUND

Although particular technologies can enhance the quality of life (QoL) of people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (we use the term pervasive support needs), their objectives and outcomes are understudied. A systematic literature review was therefore conducted to explore this topic.

METHOD

A search of four databases yielded 64 studies. Data were extracted on their general characteristics, methods and sample characteristics as well as the technology types, QoL domains and application within ecological systems. A narrative synthesis was subsequently developed.

RESULTS

Most of the studies applied assistive technology (AT) and focused on personal development and self-determination on an individual level.

CONCLUSIONS

Technology can enhance the QoL of people with pervasive support needs. There are indications that although MT and UD-based technology are used in practice, few studies have examined these technologies. Therefore, there is a knowledge gap regarding the kinds of technology that are used in practice.

Digital Technologies to Prevent Social Isolation and Loneliness in Dementia: A Systematic Review

Background: Dementia poses significant and sustained challenges to global society. Diagnosis can lead to increased feelings of loneliness and social isolation. People with dementia living alone are particularly at risk. Considering the growing number of technologies proposed to aid people with dementia address social isolation and loneliness, we reviewed the existing literature. Objective: To collate and summarize current evidence for digital technologies to prevent social isolation and loneliness for people with dementia. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched five databases to identify studies of digital technologies designed to support or prevent social isolation or loneliness for people with dementia. Pre-specified outcomes included social isolation, loneliness, and quality of life. We used deductive thematic analysis to synthesize the major themes emerging from the studies. Results: Ten studies met our inclusion criteria where all studies reported improvements in quality of life and seven reported benefits regarding social inclusion or a reduction in loneliness. Technologies were varied across purpose, delivery format, theoretical models, and levels of personalization. Two studies clearly described the involvement of people with dementia in the study design and five technologies were available outside the research context. Conclusion: There is limited— but increasing— evidence that technologies hold potential to improve quality of life and reduce isolation/loneliness for people with dementia. Results presented are largely based in small-scale research studies. Involvement of people with dementia was limited and few research concepts are reaching implementation. Closer collaboration with people with dementia to provide affordable, inclusive, and person-centered solutions is urgently required.

A Review on Serious Games for Dementia Care in Ageing Societies

Dementia is a severe disease threatening ageing societies, which not only causes great harm to patients both physically and psychologically but also places a heavy burden on patients’ families. Medications have been used for the treatment of dementia but with little success. However, serious games, as a new form of dementia therapy, stand out from various therapeutic methods and pave the way for dementia treatment. In the field of serious games for dementia care (SGDC) in ageing societies, there exists abundant research related to this topic. While, a detailed review of the development route and a category framework for characteristics of dementia are still needed. Besides, due to the large number of games, it is difficult to select out effective ones. Yet, there is no unified and comprehensive assessment methods for SGDC. So a reliable assessment model is worth studying. In this paper, we review these existing research work on SGDC from two perspectives: (1) the development of SGDC; (2) the different symptoms in different dementia stages. We also propose a comprehensive and professional assessment model of the therapeutic effectiveness of SGDC to compensate for the simplicity of existing assessment methods. Finally, a discussion related to SGDC is presented.