Defining technology user needs of Indigenous older adults requiring dementia care
D. Starblanket, M.E. O’Connell, B. Gould, M. Jardine, M. Ferguson, C. Bourassa
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AbstractExploration of user needs for technology is critical for adoption and sustained use. We qualitatively examined needs for technology to enhance the wellbeing and support independent living of North American Indigenous older adults requiring dementia care. We partnered with Indigenous older adults, caregivers, health practitioners and a Community Research Advisory Committee in the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council. We sampled participants who were either coping with their own memory loss, caring for someone with dementia, or had knowledge of dementia programs and services. Interview data were gathered in three focus groups, two one-on-one interviews at a local Indigenous gathering place, and with one one-on-one telephone interview (n = 43). Many respondents recognized the value of technology for dementia care, but many responses reflected unmet needs related to technology infrastructure, with frequent mention of unstable internet access in and around Indigenous communities. Another, but related theme to lack of ICT infrastructure pertains to the general lack of computer use and low rates of exposure to ICT. Finally, data security concerns were evident with concerns voiced about ensuring safety and wellbeing of Indigenous older adults. We discuss these findings in the context of inaccessibility and argue for co-design of technology with Indigenous older adults with dementia.Keywords: technology, Indigenous older adults, rural/remote communities, Indigenous healthcare, dementia care
D. Starblanket, M.E. O’Connell, B. Gould, M. Jardine, M. Ferguson, C. Bourassa (2019). Defining technology user needs of Indigenous older adults requiring dementia care. Gerontechnology, 18(3), 142-155
https://doi.org/10.4017/gt.2019.18.3.002.00