Agetech, Cognitive Health, and Dementia (Synthesis Lectures on Assistive, Rehabilitative, and Health-)

This book explores the ways in which AgeTech can contribute to healthy cognitive aging and support the independence of people with dementia. Technology can play a key role in supporting the health, independence, and well-being of older adults, particularly as a response to rapid worldwide population aging. AgeTech refers to the use of technologies, such as information and communication technologies (ICTs), robotics, mobile technologies, artificial intelligence, ambient systems, and pervasive computing to drive technology-based innovation to benefit older adults. AgeTech has the potential to provide new ways of meeting the growing demands on health and social care services to support people to stay healthy and active. As such, AgeTech represents an increasingly important market sector within world economies. The book also addresses some of the research, innovation, and policy challenges that need to be resolved if technology-based products and services are to fulfill their potential and deliver real-world impacts to improve the lives of older adults and their carers, thus promoting more inclusive communities for the benefit of all. Contents 11 Acknowledgments 17 Abbreviations and Acronyms 19 Introduction 21 1.1 The Challenge 21 1.2 Dementia and Cognitive Health 21 1.3 AgeTech, Dementia, and Cognitive Health 22 1.4 The Significance of AgeTech 23 1.5 Overview of the Book 24 What is Cognitive Health? 27 2.1 Introduction 27 2.2 Age-Related Cognitive Changes 27 2.3 Dementia 29 2.3.1 How Many People have Dementia? 30 2.3.2 Care for People with Dementia 31 2.4 Mild Cognitive Impairment 32 2.5 Preserving Cognitive Health 32 2.6 Major and Minor Neurocognitive Disorders 33 2.7 Find Out More 34 AgeTech for Cognitive Health and Dementia 35 3.1 AgeTech Research and Products for Dementia and Cognitive Health 36 3.2 AgeTech Challenges 39 3.3 Find Out More 40 Supportive Homes and Communities 41 4.1 The Challenge 41 4.2 What’s in This Chapter? 42 4.3 Persona and Scenario—Mike 42 4.4 Technology for Supportive Homes and Communities 44 4.5 Key Initiative—Hogeweyk Dementia Village 45 4.6 Find Out More 46 Health Care and Health Service Delivery 47 5.1 The Challenge 47 5.2 What’s in This Chapter? 48 5.3 Persona and Scenario—Dorothy 48 5.4 Technology for Health Care and Health Service Delivery 50 5.5 Key Initiative 52 5.6 Find Out More 53 Autonomy and Independence 55 6.1 The Challenge 55 6.2 What’s in This Chapter? 55 6.3 Persona and Scenario—Amrita 55 6.4 Technology for Autonomy and Independence 57 6.5 Key Initiative—The INDEPENDENT Project 59 6.6 Find Out More 61 Mobility and Transportation 63 7.1 The Challenge 63 7.2 What’s In This Chapter? 64 7.3 Persona and Scenario—Eva 64 7.4 Technology for Mobility and Transportation 66 7.5 Key Initiative—University of Southern California 68 7.6 Find Out More 69 Healthy Lifestyles 71 8.1 The Challenge 71 8.2 What’s in This Chapter? 71 8.3 Persona and Scenario—Mary-Anne and Betty 71 8.4 Technology for Supporting Healthy Lifestyles 73 8.5 Key Initiative—INDUCT Project 75 8.6 Find Out More 75 Staying Connected 77 9.1 The Challenge 77 9.2 What’s in This Chapter? 78 9.3 Persona and Scenario—Albert 78 9.4 Technology for Staying Connected 80 9.5 Key Initiative—The Talking Mats 82 9.6 Find Out More 82 Financial Wellness and Employment 85 10.1 The Challenge 85 10.2 What’s in This Chapter 86 10.3 Persona and Scenario—Edith 86 10.4 Technology for Financial Wellness and Employment 88 10.5 Key Initiatives 89 10.6 Find Out More 90 Co-Creating Technologies with People Experiencing Cognitive Decline 91 11.1 Introduction 91 11.2 Key Principles in Co-creation 92 11.3 Co-Creation: A Step-wise Process 94 11.3.1 Step 1: Identify Stakeholders 94 11.3.2 Step 2: Recruitment and AgeTech Appropriation: Engaging People Experiencing Cognitive Decline as Co-Researchers and Co-Creators 95 11.3.3 Step 3: Maintaining Engagement and Involvement 95 11.3.4 Step 4: Capacity Building and Training 96 11.3.5 Step 5: Co-Designing and Development 96 11.4 Approaches and Methods for Working with People with Dementia 98 11.4.1 Methods for Co-Designing with People Experiencing Mild to Moderate Dementia 99 11.4.2 Practical Initiatives that Involve People with Dementia in Research and Design 100 11.5 Persona and Scenario—Dorothy 102 11.6 Co-creation in Practice: Challenges and Limitations 103 11.7 Summary 104 11.8 Find Out More 105 Doing Ethical Research with People with Dementia: Challenges and Resolutions 107 12.1 Mental Capacity, Informed Consent, and Assent 108 12.2 Communication 110 12.3 Gatekeeping 110 12.4 Empathy and Understanding 111 12.5 Protection and Responsibility 112 12.6 Persona and Scenario—Edith 113 12.7 Voice as Participants, Co-Researchers, or Partners 114 12.8 Ethics and Cognitive Health 114 12.9 Technology in the Real World 114 12.10 Conclusion 116 12.11 Find Out More 116 Policy, Technology, and Cognitive Health 119 13.1 Cognitive Health is a Worldwide Challenge 119 13.2 Social Priorities 120 13.3 Economic Priorities 121 13.4 National Plans for Dementia and Cognitive Health 121 13.5 Sustainable Development Goals 122 13.6 Policy and the Role of Technology 122 13.7 Health Service Organization and Delivery 122 13.8 Focus on Prevention 123 13.9 Supporting People with Dementia 124 13.9.1 Supporting Caregivers 124 13.10 Wider Economic Considerations 124 13.11 Ethical Issues 125 13.12 Science Policy and Research 125 13.13 Cost Effectiveness and Impact 126 13.14 Policy Next Steps 126 13.15 Find Out More 127 Demonstrating Impact—Is Technology Effective in Supporting People with Dementia? 129 14.1 Lack of Evidence to Support Technology Adoption 129 14.2 Impact of Technology on Dementia Care and Support 130 14.3 Conclusion 131 Commercialization and Knowledge Mobilization 133 15.1 Persona and Scenario—Ryan 133 15.2 Some Basic Ideas 135 15.3 Value Proposition 136 15.4 Value Proposition Template 137 15.5 Example—Value Proposition for a Non-Intrusive Home Monitoring System 137 15.6 Techniques and Methods for Engaging with Customers 138 15.7 Understanding the Market 139 15.8 Business Model Canvas 141 15.9 Find Out More 144 Emerging Issues and Future Directions 145 16.1 The Word “AgeTech” 145 16.2 The Role of Technology 146 16.3 The Need for Evaluation and Evidence on the Outcomes of AgeTech 147 16.4 Caregiving, “Gatekeepers,” and Caregivers 147 16.5 Reflections on Covid-19 148 16.6 Conclusion 150 AgeTech Glossary 151 References 161 Authors’ Biographies 185