The Future of Assistive Technologies for Dementia

Purpose The use of Assistive Technologies (ATs) for residential dementia care is increasing, yet there is a gap between what individuals want, what developers design, and how outcomes are evaluated. Despite widespread acceptance that ATs improve quality of living (QOL), there is relatively little data to support such claims. This article discusses the current state-of-the-art AT-design, its use and assessment in relation to dementia care and projected future trends that can be incorporated into research now. Method By reviewing a history of ATs used in residential dementia care, incorporating societal and healthcare trends and applying theories of science, a futuristic view of AT-development and use is presented. The theoretical foundation is rooted in phenomenology, universal design, aging in place and gerontechnology. This research is supported by results from a European Commission-funded project where ATs were integrated and tested in real life conditions and evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively by older adults with dementia as well as their formal and informal caregivers. Results & Discussion The results shows the need for future ATs to be more integrated into the environment, combined with ambient and intelligent technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT), and the potential of cloud computing. They will also become more personalized to individual needs and user requirements.