Author Affiliation: The Research Institute of Nursing Science, College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea.
Comput Inform Nurs. 2021 Mar 3;39(7):347-354. doi: 10.1097/CIN.0000000000000718.
Caregivers search for mobile device apps that offer meaningful and enjoyable activities to simultaneously enhance the preserved cognitive and functional abilities of those in their care. The purpose of this review article was to describe the current state of tablet apps with which elders with Alzheimer's disease and related forms of dementia may engage as users. Using the keywords "app," "Alzheimer's," and "dementia," a sample of 83 apps was selected from the iTunes Store, Google, and discussion boards of Apple Support Communities. A descriptive content analysis was conducted using a coding scheme on the characteristics of tablet app activity and the requirements for functional abilities of the users. This review found that the activities of the selected apps included games, simple watching and viewing, music and sounds, memory training, learning and information, and social interaction starters. A high-level cognitive and physical ability such as eye-hand coordination is often required to play the majority of the game apps. A few apps are designed specifically for the population. Individuals' variability in cognitive and functional abilities necessitates a person-centered approach in designing and selecting games and activities for apps in order to increase engagement and promote positive experiences in older adults.
照顾者寻找提供有意义和有趣活动的移动设备应用程序，以同时增强被照顾者的认知和功能能力。本文的目的是描述患有阿尔茨海默病和相关形式痴呆症的老年人作为用户使用的平板电脑应用程序的现状。使用关键字“应用程序”、“阿尔茨海默病”和“痴呆症”，从 iTunes Store、Google 和 Apple 支持社区的讨论板中选择了 83 个应用程序样本。使用编码方案对平板电脑应用程序活动的特征和用户的功能能力要求进行了描述性内容分析。本研究发现，所选应用程序的活动包括游戏、简单观看、音乐和声音、记忆训练、学习和信息以及社交互动启动器。玩大多数游戏应用程序通常需要较高的认知和身体协调能力。有几个应用程序是专门为特定人群设计的。个人认知和功能能力的差异需要在设计和选择应用程序的游戏和活动时采用以个人为中心的方法，以增加老年人的参与度并促进积极体验。
