Technology-Assisted Home Care for People With Dementia and Their Relatives: Scoping Review

Background Assistive technologies for people with dementia and their relatives have the potential to ensure, improve, facilitate home care thereby enhance health of caring or being cared for. The number diversity research continuously increased over past few decades. As a result, field has become complex. Objective goal this scoping review was provide an overview on technology-assisted in order guide further technology development. Methods A conducted following published framework by searching 4 databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycInfo, CENTRAL) studies between 2013 2018. We included qualitative quantitative English German focusing that support informal carers setting. Studies targeted exclusively mild cognitive impairment, delirium, professionals were excluded as well solely consisted assessments without implication prototype developments. mapped regarding study design, aim, setting, sample size, type, we report relative absolute frequencies. Results From initial 5328 records, 175 studies. identified variety types including computers, telephones, smartphones, televisions, gaming consoles, monitoring devices, ambient assisted living, robots. most commonly used (77/175, 44.0%), followed (68/175, 38.9%), both target groups (30/175, 17.1%). Their frequent goals enable improve care, therapy, positively influence symptoms (eg, disorientation). greatest proportions case series (72/175, 41.1%) randomized controlled trials (44/175, 25.1%). majority reported small sizes 1 50 participants (122/175, 69.7%). Furthermore, analyzed effectiveness (85/233, 36.5%) technology, while others feasibility usability explorative. Conclusions This demonstrated Whereas provides opportunity needs-oriented technical solutions fit individual arrangements, it complicates choice right technology. Therefore, users’ informational needs is required. Moreover, there need larger technologies’ could contribute higher acceptance thus transition from into daily lives relatives.