Page 112 - Petelin, Ana. 2021. Ed. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press.
P. 112
avje starostnikov | health of the elderly 110 condition, assistance to patients and carers in everyday life, maintenance of so-
cial contacts and maintenance cognitive abilities - cognitive training (Klimo-
va, 2017; Yousaf et al., 2020; Cindy et al., 2015; Rai et al., 2020a).
Due to the nature of the disease, applications must also be adapted ac-
cordingly. Studies have shown that many apps are not created in collabora-
tion with health professionals and people with dementia. The latter announces
questionable quality. Some do not have good information value, do not cover
the specific needs of users, and do not take into account cognitive decline (Rai
et al., 2020b; Klimova, 2017; Kerkhof et al., 2017).
There are many apps available to users, which differ in quality. Each al-
so contains only certain content and functions, which may mean that patients
would need an even more significant number of different apps to cover all their
needs. To date, no apps have been developed that would be well-suited for peo-
ple with dementia and would include all the necessary features and informa-
tion. Researchers warn that adequately designed, high-quality apps should be
developed to make it easier for patients to cope with the disease in the future.
This will help them become more independent in managing the disease, while
making it easier for their carers and family (Guo et al., 2020).
Conclusion
Research has shown that appropriately designed apps correlated with intelli-
gent technology can be used as a preventive tool in dementia management and
aid for people who already have a dementia. Currently, no quality apps have
been developed that would be adapted to such people’s complex needs. We be-
lieve that collaboration between healthcare professionals, technology profes-
sionals and patients is key to producing such apps. Further research should be
done on the importance and effectiveness of apps, and their functions should
be adapted to the specific needs of older people with cognitive deficits.
References
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE INTERNATIONAL, 2018. World Alzheimer Report
2018 The state of the art of dementia research: New frontiers. London:
Alzheimer’s Disease International. Available at: https://www.alzint.org/
resource/world-alzheimer-report-2018/
ASTELL, A., BOURANIS, N., HOEY J et al., 2019. Technology and dementia.
The future is now. Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders, vol. 47, pp.
131–139. doi: 10.1159/000497800 .
BROWN, A. and O’CONNOR, S., 2020. Mobile health applications for peo-
ple with dementia. A systematic review and synthesis of qualitative stud-
ies. Informatics for health and social care, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 343–59. doi:
10.1080/17538157.2020.1728536 .
cial contacts and maintenance cognitive abilities - cognitive training (Klimo-
va, 2017; Yousaf et al., 2020; Cindy et al., 2015; Rai et al., 2020a).
Due to the nature of the disease, applications must also be adapted ac-
cordingly. Studies have shown that many apps are not created in collabora-
tion with health professionals and people with dementia. The latter announces
questionable quality. Some do not have good information value, do not cover
the specific needs of users, and do not take into account cognitive decline (Rai
et al., 2020b; Klimova, 2017; Kerkhof et al., 2017).
There are many apps available to users, which differ in quality. Each al-
so contains only certain content and functions, which may mean that patients
would need an even more significant number of different apps to cover all their
needs. To date, no apps have been developed that would be well-suited for peo-
ple with dementia and would include all the necessary features and informa-
tion. Researchers warn that adequately designed, high-quality apps should be
developed to make it easier for patients to cope with the disease in the future.
This will help them become more independent in managing the disease, while
making it easier for their carers and family (Guo et al., 2020).
Conclusion
Research has shown that appropriately designed apps correlated with intelli-
gent technology can be used as a preventive tool in dementia management and
aid for people who already have a dementia. Currently, no quality apps have
been developed that would be adapted to such people’s complex needs. We be-
lieve that collaboration between healthcare professionals, technology profes-
sionals and patients is key to producing such apps. Further research should be
done on the importance and effectiveness of apps, and their functions should
be adapted to the specific needs of older people with cognitive deficits.
References
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE INTERNATIONAL, 2018. World Alzheimer Report
2018 The state of the art of dementia research: New frontiers. London:
Alzheimer’s Disease International. Available at: https://www.alzint.org/
resource/world-alzheimer-report-2018/
ASTELL, A., BOURANIS, N., HOEY J et al., 2019. Technology and dementia.
The future is now. Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders, vol. 47, pp.
131–139. doi: 10.1159/000497800 .
BROWN, A. and O’CONNOR, S., 2020. Mobile health applications for peo-
ple with dementia. A systematic review and synthesis of qualitative stud-
ies. Informatics for health and social care, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 343–59. doi:
10.1080/17538157.2020.1728536 .
