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Working together with persons with early stage dementia and their family members to design a user-friendly technology-based supp

Publisher: 
SAGE Publications
Author: 
Elizabeth Hanson, Lennart Magnusson, Helene Arvidsson, Anette Claesson, John Keady, University of Manchester and the Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health NHS Trust, UK
Date published: 
2 May, 2007
Region: 
International

Publication type: 
research

This article describes how researchers, practitioners and technicians in West Sweden worked together with older people with early stage dementia and their family members to develop a user-friendly technology-based information, education and support service, based on the generic ACTION participatory design model. Ways of working in partnership with older people with early stage dementia and their family members are explored, and key lessons learned are highlighted. The overriding message is that elders with early stage dementia can be actively involved throughout the entire research and development process. Essential prerequisites are time and ongoing support by skilled practitioners and family members. Preliminary findings reveal that older people with early stage dementia can learn and benefit from user-friendly technology, especially when used together with others in a similar situation.

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