Can Technology-Based Social Memory Aids Improve Social Engagement? Perceptions of a Novel Memory Aid for Persons With Memory Concerns

Brenna L. Horn; Elizabeth A. Albers; Lauren L Mitchell; Eric Jutkowitz; Jessica M. Finlay; Ashley N. Millenbah; Gregory J. Seifert; Daniel S. Hedin; Matthew J. Knutson; Kevin M. Kramer; Jude P. Mikal

doi:10.1177/07334648221134869

Can Technology-Based Social Memory Aids Improve Social Engagement? Perceptions of a Novel Memory Aid for Persons With Memory Concerns

Brenna L. Horn, Elizabeth A. Albers, Lauren L Mitchell, Eric Jutkowitz, Jessica M. Finlay, Ashley N. Millenbah, Gregory J. Seifert, Daniel S. Hedin, Matthew J. Knutson, Kevin M. Kramer, Jude P. Mikal

Pharmaceutical Care and Health Systems

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Social withdrawal and isolation are frequently experienced among people with cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease related dementias. Few assistive technologies exist to support persons with memory concerns’ (PWMC) continuing social engagement. This study aimed to understand PWMC and family caregivers’ initial perspectives on the feasibility and utility of a wearable technology-based social memory aid. We recruited 20 dyads, presented the memory aid, and conducted semi-structured interviews from June to August 2020 over Zoom video conferencing. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Overall, participants anticipated the technology could reduce socializing-related stress now and in the future for both members of the care dyad. However, certain features of the memory aid (e.g., visitors must have the app), could limit utility, and participants provided recommendations to enhance the tool. Our findings will inform future technology-enabled social memory aid development for PWMC and family caregivers.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	399-408
Number of pages	10
Journal	Journal of Applied Gerontology
Volume	42
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648221134869
State	Published - Mar 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging [grant number R44AG063683].

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2022.

Keywords

Alzheimer’s disease
assistive technology
caregiving
dementia
qualitative
social engagement

PubMed: MeSH publication types

Journal Article
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Access

10.1177/07334648221134869

OpenUrl availability

Full text

Cite this

Horn, B. L., Albers, E. A., Mitchell, L. L., Jutkowitz, E., Finlay, J. M., Millenbah, A. N., Seifert, G. J., Hedin, D. S., Knutson, M. J., Kramer, K. M., & Mikal, J. P. (2023). Can Technology-Based Social Memory Aids Improve Social Engagement? Perceptions of a Novel Memory Aid for Persons With Memory Concerns. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 42(3), 399-408. https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648221134869

Horn, BL, Albers, EA, Mitchell, LL, Jutkowitz, E, Finlay, JM, Millenbah, AN, Seifert, GJ, Hedin, DS, Knutson, MJ, Kramer, KM & Mikal, JP 2023, 'Can Technology-Based Social Memory Aids Improve Social Engagement? Perceptions of a Novel Memory Aid for Persons With Memory Concerns', Journal of Applied Gerontology, vol. 42, no. 3, pp. 399-408. https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648221134869

@article{db43e608bdb84135aaa9c2682b0961c1,

title = "Can Technology-Based Social Memory Aids Improve Social Engagement? Perceptions of a Novel Memory Aid for Persons With Memory Concerns",

abstract = "Social withdrawal and isolation are frequently experienced among people with cognitive impairment, Alzheimer{\textquoteright}s disease, and Alzheimer{\textquoteright}s disease related dementias. Few assistive technologies exist to support persons with memory concerns{\textquoteright} (PWMC) continuing social engagement. This study aimed to understand PWMC and family caregivers{\textquoteright} initial perspectives on the feasibility and utility of a wearable technology-based social memory aid. We recruited 20 dyads, presented the memory aid, and conducted semi-structured interviews from June to August 2020 over Zoom video conferencing. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Overall, participants anticipated the technology could reduce socializing-related stress now and in the future for both members of the care dyad. However, certain features of the memory aid (e.g., visitors must have the app), could limit utility, and participants provided recommendations to enhance the tool. Our findings will inform future technology-enabled social memory aid development for PWMC and family caregivers.",

keywords = "Alzheimer{\textquoteright}s disease, assistive technology, caregiving, dementia, qualitative, social engagement",

author = "Horn, {Brenna L.} and Albers, {Elizabeth A.} and Mitchell, {Lauren L} and Eric Jutkowitz and Finlay, {Jessica M.} and Millenbah, {Ashley N.} and Seifert, {Gregory J.} and Hedin, {Daniel S.} and Knutson, {Matthew J.} and Kramer, {Kevin M.} and Mikal, {Jude P.}",

note = "Funding Information: The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging [grant number R44AG063683]. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2022.",

year = "2023",

month = mar,

doi = "10.1177/07334648221134869",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "42",

pages = "399--408",

journal = "Journal of Applied Gerontology",

issn = "0733-4648",

publisher = "SAGE Publications Inc.",

number = "3",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Can Technology-Based Social Memory Aids Improve Social Engagement? Perceptions of a Novel Memory Aid for Persons With Memory Concerns

AU - Horn, Brenna L.

AU - Albers, Elizabeth A.

AU - Mitchell, Lauren L

AU - Jutkowitz, Eric

AU - Finlay, Jessica M.

AU - Millenbah, Ashley N.

AU - Seifert, Gregory J.

AU - Hedin, Daniel S.

AU - Knutson, Matthew J.

AU - Kramer, Kevin M.

AU - Mikal, Jude P.

N1 - Funding Information: The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging [grant number R44AG063683]. Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2022.

PY - 2023/3

Y1 - 2023/3

N2 - Social withdrawal and isolation are frequently experienced among people with cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease related dementias. Few assistive technologies exist to support persons with memory concerns’ (PWMC) continuing social engagement. This study aimed to understand PWMC and family caregivers’ initial perspectives on the feasibility and utility of a wearable technology-based social memory aid. We recruited 20 dyads, presented the memory aid, and conducted semi-structured interviews from June to August 2020 over Zoom video conferencing. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Overall, participants anticipated the technology could reduce socializing-related stress now and in the future for both members of the care dyad. However, certain features of the memory aid (e.g., visitors must have the app), could limit utility, and participants provided recommendations to enhance the tool. Our findings will inform future technology-enabled social memory aid development for PWMC and family caregivers.

AB - Social withdrawal and isolation are frequently experienced among people with cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease related dementias. Few assistive technologies exist to support persons with memory concerns’ (PWMC) continuing social engagement. This study aimed to understand PWMC and family caregivers’ initial perspectives on the feasibility and utility of a wearable technology-based social memory aid. We recruited 20 dyads, presented the memory aid, and conducted semi-structured interviews from June to August 2020 over Zoom video conferencing. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Overall, participants anticipated the technology could reduce socializing-related stress now and in the future for both members of the care dyad. However, certain features of the memory aid (e.g., visitors must have the app), could limit utility, and participants provided recommendations to enhance the tool. Our findings will inform future technology-enabled social memory aid development for PWMC and family caregivers.

KW - Alzheimer’s disease

KW - assistive technology

KW - caregiving

KW - dementia

KW - qualitative

KW - social engagement

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85141023234&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85141023234&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1177/07334648221134869

DO - 10.1177/07334648221134869

M3 - Article

C2 - 36274581

AN - SCOPUS:85141023234

SN - 0733-4648

VL - 42

SP - 399

EP - 408

JO - Journal of Applied Gerontology

JF - Journal of Applied Gerontology

IS - 3

ER -

Can Technology-Based Social Memory Aids Improve Social Engagement? Perceptions of a Novel Memory Aid for Persons With Memory Concerns

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

PubMed: MeSH publication types

Access

OpenUrl availability

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this