Bridging the Gap: Advancements in Technology to Support Dementia Care -- A Scoping Review

TL;DR

This scoping review examines how interactive technologies like wearables, AI, and virtual reality have been developed and applied from 2010 to 2023 to improve dementia care and support both patients and caregivers.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive categorization of dementia-related technologies and discusses their roles, challenges, and potential in clinical and home-care settings.

Findings

Technologies are categorized into six functional groups.

Wearables and AI are increasingly used in dementia support.

Challenges include integration and user acceptance.

Abstract

Dementia has serious consequences for the daily life of the person affected due to the decline in the their cognitive, behavioral and functional abilities. Caring for people living with dementia can be challenging and distressing. Innovative solutions are becoming essential to enrich the lives of those impacted and alleviate caregiver burdens. This scoping review, spanning literature from 2010 to July 2023 in the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), offers a comprehensive look at how interactive technology contributes to dementia care. Emphasizing technology's role in addressing the unique needs of people with dementia (PwD) and their caregivers, this review encompasses assistive devices, mobile applications, sensors, and GPS tracking. Delving into challenges encountered in clinical and home-care settings, it succinctly outlines the influence of cutting-edge technologies, such as wearables, virtual reality, robots, and artificial intelligence, in supporting individuals with dementia and their caregivers. We categorize current dementia-related technologies into six groups based on their intended use and function: 1) daily life monitoring, 2) daily life support, 3) social interaction and communication, 4) well-being enhancement, 5) cognitive support, and 6) caregiver support.