JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Australia’s aging population is looking to “age in place”, accessing care alternatives external to the traditional model of residential aged care facilities. This evaluation is situated in a Social Day Program (SDP) designed to cater for people living with dementia, located in an environment equipped with new technologies including, age-specific interactive computer gaming, social robots, sensory stimulation, and virtual reality. The technologies are designed to support older adults, enabling them to stay connected and maintain physical and cognitive functioning, independence, and quality of life.

Objective:

The aim of the project was to undertake a multi-faceted evaluation of the implementation of the new technologies, including an exploration of the barriers and enablers to uptake. The key issue is how to enhance the potential for optimising use of these technologies in the SDP environment, to help inform decision-making regarding the implementation of these technologies at other sites, and future investment in such technologies by aged care organisations.

Methods:

Observation of technology use within the organisation was conducted over a 16-week period. Surveys and semi-structured interviews were used to collect information from SDP clients, their family members, and staff, related to their experiences with the technology. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interviews. Data were triangulated across the sample.

Results:

Forty-eight observation periods were completed, totalling 126.5 observation hours. Four interviews were completed with clients. Four family members completed the survey and an interview. Nineteen staff completed surveys and twelve staff participated in an interview. Nearly three quarters (n=14) of the staff perceived there to be barriers to the clients’ use of technology. Key themes identified related to Perceptions of technology use; How and why technology is used; Staff knowledge of technology; Perceived barriers to technology use; and Perceived enablers of technology use.

Conclusions:

This evaluation identified that technology was not being used as extensively as initially intended, nor for the purposes of enrichment or experience enhancement. Multiple barriers to implementation and sustained use of the technology items were identified, and recommendations to improve implementation and promote sustained use of the technology were made. The next steps are to examine application of the recommendations and ongoing use of technology, and its impact, within the organisation.