Innovative technological resources for Alzheimer's disease care management: A scoping review

TL;DR

This review explores technological tools for managing Alzheimer's care, highlighting their benefits and limitations.

Contribution

A scoping review mapping technological tools for Alzheimer's care management with a focus on usability and validation gaps.

Findings

Mobile apps and wearables are commonly used for cognitive training, tracking, and reminders.

Technologies often aim to improve patient safety and caregiver support.

Many tools lack real-world validation and usability for older adults with cognitive impairments.

Abstract

The aim of this scoping review was to map and describe the technological tools reported in the literature that have been designed for care management in Alzheimer's disease, with a particular focus on supporting patients living with the condition, their families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework. A comprehensive literature search was performed across multiple databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL, focusing on studies addressing technological resources aimed at supporting the care and management of Alzheimer's disease.

A total of 23 studies were included in the final analysis. The most frequently utilized technologies were mobile applications and wearable devices. The most identified functionalities included cognitive training, location tracking, task reminders, communication support, fall detection, and vital signs monitoring, often integrated into comprehensive solutions to enhance patient care and safety.

Overall, these technologies were designed to support both patients and caregivers. However, despite the clear benefits and innovative potential of these technologies, significant limitations remain, particularly the lack of empirical validation in real-world clinical settings and the need to ensure greater usability for older adults and individuals with cognitive impairments.

Figures