Usability of a new electronic assistive device for community-dwelling persons with mild dementia

Objective: To evaluate a newly developed integrated digital prosthetic, the COGKNOW Day Navigator (CDN), to support persons with mild dementia in their daily lives, with memory, social contacts, daily activities and safety.

Methods: A user participatory method was applied in the development process, which consisted of three iterative 1-year cycles with field tests in Amsterdam, Belfast and Luleå. In the successive cycles 16, 14 and 12 persons with dementia and their carers participated. Data on usability were collected by means of interviews, observations, questionnaires, logging and diaries. The CDN prototype consists of a touch screen, a mobile device, sensors and actuators.

Results: The evaluation showed that persons with dementia and carers valued the CDN overall as user-friendly and useful. Conclusions regarding the effectiveness of the system in daily life were limited due to insufficient duration of the testing period caused by delays in development and some instability of the final prototype.

Conclusion: With the suggested adaptations, the CDN is expected to be a useful tool for supporting community-dwelling persons with mild dementia and their carers.