JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

In long-term residential care, caregivers’ attempts to provide person-centred care can be challenged by residents living with a communication disorder (e.g., aphasia) and/or a language-cultural barrier. Mobile communication technology, which includes smartphones/tablets and their software applications, maybe an innovative solution for preventing and/or overcoming communication breakdowns during activities of daily living. There is a need to determine the availability, relevance, and stability of commercially available communication apps (cApps) that could support person-centred care in the long-term residential care setting.

Objective:

This study aimed to (1) systematically identify and evaluate commercially available cApps that could be used to support person-centred communication in long-term residential care and (2) examine the stability of cApps over two years.

Methods:

Systematic searches of the Canadian iTunes/App Store (iOS platform) were conducted in 2015 and 2017 using pre-defined search terms. cApps that met the study’s inclusion criteria underwent content review and quality assessment.

Results:

While the 2015 searches identified 519 unique apps, only 27 cApps were eligible for evaluation. Two augmentative and alternative communication apps and two translate apps were identified as the most appropriate for use in long-term residential care. Despite a 205% increase (from 199 to 607) in the number of augmentative and alternative communication and translate apps assessed for eligibility in the 2017 review, the top-recommended cApps demonstrated suitability for use in long-term residential care and marketplace stability.

Conclusions:

While the recommended existing cApps included some person-centred communication features and demonstrated marketplace longevity, there is a need for the development of cApps that focus on the inclusion of more person-centred communication features suited for use in long-term residential care. Further, cApp content and quality would improve with the inclusion of research evidence and experiential knowledge (e.g., nurses, health care aides) to inform app development. cApps offer care staff a tool that could promote social participation and person-centred care.