Evaluation of a multifunctional technology system in a memory care unit: Opportunities for innovation in dementia care
Open accessAbstract
INTRODUCTION: Stimulating recreational and leisure activities (RLAs) are essential to physical and mental well-being; however, people living in memory care units (MCUs) may lack access to them. Technology has the potential to facilitate and enrich activity engagement in this context. OBJECTIVES: In this 6-month study, we evaluated a commercially available system designed to encourage the engagement of people with dementia in activities and social interactions, using a mixed-methods approach in a MCU. METHODS: Quantitative measures included those to evaluate cognition, depression, quality of life, and resource utilization. We qualitatively evaluated the system using semi-structured interviews with family members and staff. Five residents with dementia, four family members, and seven staff were included in the 6-month study. RESULTS: Staff and family members reported benefits for residents such as enjoyment, interactions and connections with others, and mental stimulation. Findings also highlight challenges such as technical and ethical concerns. Factors that influence system use and integration are also discussed. CONCLUSION: It was feasible to introduce a system designed for recreation and engagement in a MCU, and staff, family members, and residents experienced benefits. However, barriers existed in the introduction and use of the system.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Twelve studies presented results on IAT that were both accepted and used by the participants.
“Twelve studies presented results on IAT that were both accepted and used by the participants [19–21, 23, 27, 30–33, 42, 43, 45].”
From Acceptance and use of innovative assistive technologies among people with cognitive impairment and their caregivers: a systematic review (2019) · cites this paper as [33]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Folstein, M. F., Folstein, S. E., & McHugh, P. R. (1975) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/0022-3956(75)90026-6 · Cited by 88,282 · see citing works
Three Approaches to Qualitative Content Analysis
Hsieh, H.-F., & Shannon, S. E. (2005) · Qualitative Health Research · doi:10.1177/1049732305276687 · Cited by 44,601 · see citing works
Hirono, N., Mori, E., Ikejiri, Y., Imamura, T., Shimomura, T., Hashimoto, M., Yamashita, H., & Ikeda, M. (1997) · PubMed · Cited by 21,010 · see citing works
Kok, J. S., Berg, I. J., & Scherder, E. J. A. (2013) · Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders Extra · doi:10.1159/000353441 · Cited by 20,589 · see citing works
Older Adults' Reasons for Using Technology while Aging in Place
Peek, S. T. M., Luijkx, K. G., Rijnaard, M. D., Nieboer, M. E., van der Voort, C. S., Aarts, S., van Hoof, J., Vrijhoef, H. J., & Wouters, E. (2015) · Gerontology · doi:10.1159/000430949 · Cited by 19,803 · see citing works
Sensitivity and False Alarm Rate of a Fall Sensor in Long-Term Fall Detection in the Elderly
Kangas, M., Korpelainen, R., Vikman, I., Nyberg, L., & Jämsä, T. J. (2014) · Gerontology · doi:10.1159/000362720 · Cited by 19,003 · see citing works
2016 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures
Alzheimer's Association (2016) · Alzheimer's & Dementia · doi:10.1016/j.jalz.2016.03.001 · Cited by 5,069 · see citing works
Kahn, R. L. (1998) · Cited by 4,295 · see citing works
Cornell scale for depression in dementia
Alexopoulos, G. S., Abrams, R. C., Young, R. C., & Shamoian, C. A. (1988) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/0006-3223(88)90038-8 · Cited by 2,678 · see citing works
Assessing Quality of Life in Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment
Logsdon, R. G., Gibbons, L. E., McCurry, S. M., & Teri, L. (2002) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00006842-200205000-00016 · Cited by 1,381 · see citing works
2012 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures Alzheimer's Association ∗
Thies, W. H., & Bleiler, L. (2012) · Alzheimer s & Dementia · doi:10.1016/j.jalz.2012.02.001 · Cited by 984 · see citing works
Havighurst, R. J. (1961) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/1.1.8 · Cited by 855 · see citing works
Understanding Your Users: A Practical Guide to User Requirements Methods, Tools, and Techniques
Courage, C., & Baxter, K. K. (2005) · Cited by 366 · see citing works
Technology Studies to Meet the Needs of People With Dementia and Their Caregivers
Topo, P. (2009) · Journal of Applied Gerontology · doi:10.1177/0733464808324019 · Cited by 332 · see citing works
The needs of older people with dementia in residential care
Hancock, G. A., Woods, B., Challis, D., & Orrell, M. (2006) · International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry · doi:10.1002/gps.1421 · Cited by 269 · see citing works
Mental and Physical Activities Delay Cognitive Decline in Older Persons with Dementia
Cheng, S., Chow, P. K., Song, Y., Yu, E. C. S., Chan, A., Lee, T. M. C., & Lam, J. (2013) · American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jagp.2013.01.060 · Cited by 257 · see citing works
Brooker, D., & Duce, L. (2000) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/713649967 · Cited by 180 · see citing works
Schreiner, A. S., Yamamoto, E., & Shiotani, H. (2005) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607860412331336841 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
Designing a multimedia conversation aid for reminiscence therapy in dementia care environments
Gowans, G., Campbell, J., Alm, N., Dye, R., Astell, A. J., & Ellis, M. P. (2004) · CHI Conference Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI EA) · doi:10.1145/985921.985943 · Cited by 146 · see citing works
Factors influencing quality of life for people with dementia: A qualitative perspective
Moyle, W., Venturto, L., Griffiths, S., Grimbeek, P. M., McAllister, M., Oxlade, D., & Murfield, J. (2011) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2011.583620 · Cited by 130 · see citing works
Effects of Continuous Activity Programming on Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia
Volicer, L., Simard, J., Pupa, J. H., Medrek, R., & Riordan, M. E. (2006) · Journal of the American Medical Directors Association · doi:10.1016/j.jamda.2006.02.003 · Cited by 109 · see citing works
Usability of Tablet Computers by People with Early-Stage Dementia
Lim, F. S., Wallace, T., Luszcz, M. A., & Reynolds, K. J. (2013) · Gerontology · doi:10.1159/000343986 · Cited by 100 · see citing works
Wood, W. H., Harris, S., Snider, M., & Patchel, S. A. (2005) · American Journal of Alzheimer s Disease & Other Dementias® · doi:10.1177/153331750502000210 · Cited by 93 · see citing works
Mobile app development and usability research to help dementia and Alzheimer patients
Yamagata, C., Coppola, J. F., Kowtko, M., & Joyce, S. (2013) · IEEE Long Island Systems, Applications and Technology Conference (LISAT) · doi:10.1109/lisat.2013.6578252 · Cited by 84 · see citing works
Therapeutic recreation as an intervention for persons with dementia and agitation: an efficacy study
Buettner, L. L., Lundegren, H., Lago, D., Farrell, P., & Smith, R. (1996) · American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease · doi:10.1177/153331759601100503 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Assessment of a Music-Based Multimedia Program for People with Dementia
Topo, P., Mäki, O., Saarikalle, K., Clarke, N., Begley, E., Cahill, S. M., Arenlind, J., Holthe, T., Morbey, H., Hayes, K., et al. (2004) · Dementia · doi:10.1177/1471301204045164 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
New Trends to Support Independence in Persons with Mild Dementia – A Mini-Review
Mokhtari, M., Aloulou, H., Tiberghien, T., Biswas, J., Racoceanu, D., & Yap, P. L. K. (2012) · Gerontology · doi:10.1159/000337827 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Requirements of older adults for a daily use of an internet-based cognitive training platform
Haesner, M., O’Sullivan, J. L., Gövercin, M., & Steinhagen‐Thiessen, E. (2014) · Informatics for Health and Social Care · doi:10.3109/17538157.2013.879149 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Non-pharmacological management of behavioural symptoms of dementia.
Khan, F., & Curtice, M. (2011) · British Journal of Community Nursing · doi:10.12968/bjcn.2011.16.9.441 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
COGKNOW development and evaluation of an ICT-device for people with mild dementia.
Meiland, F. J. M., Reinersmann, A., Bergvall‐Kåreborn, B., Craig, D., Moelaert, F., Mulvenna, M. D., Nugent, C., Scully, T., Bengtsson, J. E., & Dröes, R. (2007) · PubMed · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Zaccarelli, C., Cirillo, G., Passuti, S., Annicchiarico, R., & Barban, F. (2013) · Proceedings of the ICTs for improving Patients Rehabilitation Research Techniques · doi:10.4108/icst.pervasivehealth.2013.252155 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Luttenberger, K., & Graessel, E. (2010) · International Psychogeriatrics · doi:10.1017/s1041610210000487 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Remote Reminiscence Talking and Scheduling Prompter for Individuals with Dementia Using Video Phone
Yasuda, K., Kuwahara, N., & Morimoto, K. (2009) · Lecture notes in computer science · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-02707-9_49 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Jordan, P., Silva, P. A., Nunes, F., & Oliveira, R. (2013) · Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS) · doi:10.1109/hicss.2013.14 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Mitseva, A., Peterson, C. B., Dafoulas, G., Efthymiou, A. C., Abildgaard, A., & Bellini, S. (2010) · VBN Forskningsportal (Aalborg Universitet) · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Physical action gaming and fun as a tool within elderly care : Game over or play it again and again…
Tobiasson, H. (2009) · KTH Publication Database DiVA (KTH Royal Institute of Technology) · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Managing Dementia Symptoms and Needs Using Technology
Kerssens, C., Sattler, M., & Monteiro, A. (2014) · Journal of Gerontological Nursing · doi:10.3928/00989134-20140513-01 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 3
- [8]Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 42 CFR Part 483 2001 26110197
- [13]Marshall M Dementia and technology: Some ethical considerations Mollenkopf H Elderly people in industrialized societies: social integration in old age by or despite technology Berlin, Germany Edition Sigma, Rainer Bohn Verlag 1996 207 15
- [32]Luttenberger K Graessel E RUD-FOCA from Luttenberger 2010 International Psychogeriatrics 2010 22 Special Issue 8 2 4 20478097
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Thordardottir, B., Malmgren Fänge, A., Lethin, C., Rodriguez Gatta, D., & Chiatti, C. (2019) · BioMed Research International · doi:10.1155/2019/9196729 · Cited by 169 · see citing works
Effectiveness of Digital Technologies to Support Nursing Care: Results of a Scoping Review
Hüter, K., Krick, T., Domhoff, D., Seibert, K., Wolf‐Ostermann, K., & Rothgang, H. (2020) · Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare · doi:10.2147/jmdh.s286193 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Krick, T., Hüter, K., Seibert, K., Domhoff, D., & Wolf‐Ostermann, K. (2020) · BMC Health Services Research · doi:10.1186/s12913-020-05106-8 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Hoel, V., Feunou, C. M., & Wolf‐Ostermann, K. (2021) · BMC Geriatrics · doi:10.1186/s12877-021-02105-0 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Boumans, J., van Boekel, L. C., Baan, C. A., & Luijkx, K. G. (2018) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/gny096 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Dai, J., & Moffatt, K. (2021) · CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems · doi:10.1145/3411764.3445756 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Choukou, M.-A., Olatoye, F. S., Urbanowski, R., Caon, M., & Monnin, C. (2022) · JMIR Mental Health · doi:10.2196/40330 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Mannion, A., Summerville, S., Barrett, E., Burke, M., Santorelli, A., Kruschke, C., Felzmann, H., Kovačič, T., Murphy, K., Casey, D., et al. (2019) · International Journal of Social Robotics · doi:10.1007/s12369-019-00568-1 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Bradley, L., Shanker, S., Murphy, J. M., Fenge, L., & Heward, M. (2023) · Dementia · doi:10.1177/14713012231178445 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Luijkx, K. G., van Boekel, L. C., Janssen, M. M., Verbiest, M. E. A., & Stoop, A. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17239014 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Fänge, A. M., Carlsson, G., Chiatti, C., & Lethin, C. (2019) · Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences · doi:10.1111/scs.12766 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Design Recommendations for Recreational Systems Involving Older Adults Living With Dementia
Lazar, A., Thompson, H. J., & Demiris, G. (2016) · Journal of Applied Gerontology · doi:10.1177/0733464816643880 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Self-citationThoolen, M., Brankaert, R., & Lü, Y. (2020) · Designing Interactive Systems Conference · doi:10.1145/3357236.3395432 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Lazar, A., Demiris, G., & Thompson, H. J. (2015) · Journal of Gerontological Nursing · doi:10.3928/00989134-20150309-03 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Self-citationDomenicucci, R., Ferrandes, F., Sarlo, M., Borella, E., & Belacchi, C. (2022) · Ageing Research Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.arr.2022.101781 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Vito, A. N. D., Sawyer, R. J., LaRoche, A., Arredondo, B. C., Mizuki, B., & Knoop, C. (2020) · Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine · doi:10.1177/2333721420924988 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
The use of technology for social interaction by people with dementia: A scoping review
Anderson, M., Menon, R., Oak, K., & Allan, L. M. (2022) · PLOS Digital Health · doi:10.1371/journal.pdig.0000053 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Rehabilitation of persons with dementia: using technology to improve participation
Zarit, S. H., Chiusano, C., Harrison, A. S., Sewell, L., Krause, C. A., & Liu, Y. (2020) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2020.1711864 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Sweeney, L., Clarke, C., & Wolverson, E. (2020) · Dementia · doi:10.1177/1471301220929534 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Effectiveness of digital technologies to support nursing care: results of a scoping reviewPreprint
Hüter, K., Krick, T., Domhoff, D., Seibert, K., Wolf‐Ostermann, K., & Rothgang, H. (2020) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.2.24344/v1 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Kokorelias, K. M., McMurray, J., Chu, C. H., Astell, A. J., Grigorovich, A., Kontos, P., Babineau, J., Bytautas, J., Ahuja, A., & Iaboni, A. (2024) · JMIR Neurotechnology · doi:10.2196/53038 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Toso, F., Brankaert, R., Hendriks, N., Lenaerts, L., & Wilkinson, A. J. (2023) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20031673 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Definitions and Measurement of Engagement in Persons with Dementia: A Scoping Review
Matcham, W., Thoman, J., Sobol, A., Sanchez, E., & Gaspar, P. M. (2022) · Journal of Aging and Long-Term Care · doi:10.51819/jaltc.2022.1005251 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Kessler, D., Franz, M., Levy, M., Vrckovnik, A., Thomas, N., Finlayson, M. L., & Knoefel, F. D. (2024) · Disability and Rehabilitation Assistive Technology · doi:10.1080/17483107.2024.2351495 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Christensen, J., Timmers, R., & MacRitchie, J. (2024) · Journal of Aging Studies · doi:10.1016/j.jaging.2024.101289 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Digital technology, emotions, and social relationships in dementia care: A narrative review
Persson, M., Bivall, A.-C., & Thunman, E. (2026) · Digital Health · doi:10.1177/20552076251411208 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Luo, K., Wei, D., Kang, J., & Fei, Y. (2026) · Building and Environment · doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2026.114380 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Shin, J., & Shin, S. (2022) · Eon'eo cheong'gag jang'ae yeon'gu/Communication sciences & disorders · doi:10.12963/csd.22898 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Social Innovation from the Perspective of Quality of Life of Old People and in Long-Term Care
Kejžar, A., Dimovski, V., & Colnar, S. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-68127-2_12-1 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Melander, C., Olsson, M. B., Jayousi, S., Martinelli, A., & Mucchi, L. (2019) · Lecture notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-34833-5_23 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
The science behind reminiscence therapy: The healing power of memory
Albustanji, R. I. H., Alirani, A. A., Albustanji, M. I., Abdelmegid, M., Mohamed, M. A. S., & Moradikor, N. (2025) · Progress in brain research · doi:10.1016/bs.pbr.2025.08.022
Krick, T., Hüter, K., Seibert, K., Domhoff, D., & Wolf‐Ostermann, K. (2020) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.12028353
Krick, T., Hüter, K., Seibert, K., Domhoff, D., & Wolf‐Ostermann, K. (2020) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.12028362
Hoel, V., Feunou, C. M., & Wolf‐Ostermann, K. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14167963
Krick, T., Hüter, K., Seibert, K., Domhoff, D., & Wolf‐Ostermann, K. (2020) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.12028368
Hoel, V., Feunou, C. M., & Wolf‐Ostermann, K. (2021) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.14167960
Krick, T., Hüter, K., Seibert, K., Domhoff, D., & Wolf‐Ostermann, K. (2020) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.12028347
Krick, T., Hüter, K., Seibert, K., Domhoff, D., & Wolf‐Ostermann, K. (2020) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.12028374
Social Innovation from the Perspective of Quality of Life of Old People and in Long-Term Care
Kejžar, A., Dimovski, V., & Colnar, S. (2026) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-35691-8_12
- Authors
- Lazar, A., Demiris, G., & Thompson, H. J.
- Affiliations
- University of Washington (US)
- Corresponding author
- Lazar, Amanda
- Venue
- Informatics for Health and Social Care
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2016-01-28
- Volume
- 41
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 373-386
- ISSN
- 1753-8157 (ISSN-L)
- 1753-8165
- PMC
- PMC4912411
- OpenAlex
- W2293292577
- Cited by
- 40
- References
- 37
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1
- FWCI
- 6.50
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Informatics for Health and Social Care (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- U.S. National Library of Medicine (T15LM007442)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Demography › Technology Use by Older Adults
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes
- Keywords
- dementia care, memory care units, assistive technology, technology adoption, social interaction, cognitive stimulation, depression, quality of life, resource utilization (health care), ethical considerations
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Dementia, Family, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Mental Health, Quality of Life, Inventions
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
