Technology and Dementia: The Future is Now

• Published in: Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders Vol. 47; no. 3; pp. 131 - 139
• Main Authors: Astell, Arlene J., Bouranis, Nicole, Hoey, Jesse, Lindauer, Allison, Mihailidis, Alex, Nugent, Chris , Robillard, Julie M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland 01.01.2019
• Subjects: Alzheimer Disease - diagnosis; Alzheimer Disease - therapy; Dementia - diagnosis; Dementia - therapy; Humans; Original Research Article; Technology - trends; Policy; Aging; Big data; Technology; Dementia
• ISBN: 331806498X; 9783318064988
• ISSN: 1420-8008; 1421-9824
• DOI: 10.1159/000497800

Background: Technology has multiple potential applications to dementia from diagnosis and assessment to care delivery and supporting ageing in place. Objectives: To summarise key areas of technology development in dementia and identify future directions and implications. Method: Members of the US Alzheimer’s Association Technology Professional Interest Area involved in delivering the annual pre-conference summarised existing knowledge on current and future technology developments in dementia. Results: The main domains of technology development are as follows: (i) diagnosis, assessment and monitoring, (ii) maintenance of functioning, (iii) leisure and activity, (iv) caregiving and management. Conclusions: The pace of technology development requires urgent policy, funding and practice change, away from a narrow medical approach, to a holistic model that facilitates future risk reduction and prevention strategies, enables earlier detection and supports implementation at scale for a meaningful and fulfilling life with dementia.