Affiliations: [a] Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Seinäjoki, Finland | [b] School of Health Sciences and Nursing Science, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland | [c] School of Health Care and Social Work, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, Seinäjoki, Finland | [d] South – Ostrobothnia Hospital District, Finland
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Merja Riikonen, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Koskenalantie 16, 60220 Seinäjoki, Finland. Tel.: +358 45 265 8881; E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: The study explores factors that facilitate the use of technology in daily life of people with dementia. An ethnographic approach was selected with open interviews, participant observation, field notes, a structured questionnaire for family members and four batteries of tests. The target group consisted of 25 people with dementia and their family carers in six communities in Finland. The main findings are: 1. A well-functioning social network is essential in integrating technology into daily life of people with dementia. The role of the significant others is to encourage, guide and receive alarms. 2. Timeliness is another important factor. Active technology is indicated in the early and to some degree in the moderate stage of dementia, after which passive technology is recommended. The period of crisis relating to onset of the syndrome is not an optimal time for intervention. 3. Attitudes and motivation of the affected persons and their social networks greatly affect the incorporation of technology in daily life. 4. Guidance is an important element in successful introduction of technology. All members of the network should participate and the guidance should be continual, repeated at suitable intervals.
Keywords: People with dementia, technology, daily life, social network, guidance, timeliness, motivation
