HW-02

(Oral presentation, session Health and Wellbeing, 14.10 - 14.30 hrs)

Background:

There is growing evidence that hand-held touch-screen devices (tablets) and applications (apps) such as apps for social contact and leisure activities, can support people with mild dementia to manage their life and engage in meaningful activities. However, not all people with dementia are familiar with the use of tablets and not all apps are suitable for each individual. Therefore, a person-centred tablet intervention, called FindMyApps, was developed in co-creation with end users. The intervention consists of a training to learn to use the tablet and a selection tool to help users find apps for self-management and meaningful activities that fit their needs, wishes and abilities.

Method:

To ensure its usability, the FindMyApps selection tool was developed using a ‘user-participatory design’ in which users (persons with dementia and informal carers), and experts (designers, developers and researchers) closely collaborated. In three sprints the users were invited to test whether the prototypes harmonized with their needs, wishes and abilities.

Results:

Each sprint provided insight into potential improvements of the tool. The development team gained an understanding of issues regarding usefulness (e.g. meaningful content of (sub)categories for apps in domains of self-management and meaningful activities), as well as issues to increase the user-friendliness (e.g. intuitive design with instructive navigation support).

Conclusion:

The FindMyApps selection tool was conceived as a means to make it easier for people with mild dementia to select apps meeting their needs, wishes and abilities. This provisional end version will be further tested and, if necessary, improved in a feasibility study.

Keywords:

Dementia, touchscreen devices, self-management, meaningful activities, person-centred