Digital technology, emotions, and social relationships in dementia care: A narrative review

TL;DR

This paper reviews how digital technologies in dementia care influence emotions and relationships between care workers and residents.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel framework linking digital technology affordances to emotional dynamics in dementia care.

Findings

Comfort and discomfort in dementia care are linked to everyday conversations mediated by digital tools.

Joy and anger are associated with play and entertainment facilitated by technology.

Safety and vulnerability are tied to how digital tools support residents' sense of security.

Abstract

The aim of this review is to explore how the (dis)affordances of digital technologies—such as robots, game consoles, tablet computers, and virtual environments—shape the quality of the social relationships between care workers and residents in dementia care. Using a narrative review methodology, we analyzed 15 peer-reviewed articles published between 2012 and 2023 through thematic analysis. The findings are organized around three contrasting emotional dimensions: comfort–discomfort, joy–anger, and safety–vulnerability. Comfort and discomfort were primarily linked to everyday conversations, joy and anger to experiences of play and entertainment, and safety and vulnerability to how effectively care workers safeguarded residents’ sense of security. These results demonstrate that emotional expressions are not only outcomes of interpersonal interaction but are also mediated by technological affordances. Supporting care workers in recognizing and responding to these emotional dynamics is therefore crucial for ensuring that digital technologies enhance residents’ well-being and help sustain secure social bonds in dementia care.

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