Methods for Involving People Living with Dementia and Their Informal Carers as Co-Developers of Technological Solutions

Abstract

This paper reports on the research methods used in five different projects aimed at supporting people living with dementia in their everyday lives and activities of daily living. In all five projects, people living with dementia and their informal carers were involved. Applied methods ranged from passive involvement in the form of observations to very active involvement consisting of consultation rounds and think-aloud sessions. The projects highlighted that people living with dementia can still contribute to the development of solutions that support them in the self-management of their symptoms and challenges, as well as technological solutions that support them in daily living.

Keywords: Ageing-in-place; Autonomy; Inclusion; Methodology; Participant; Participatory design.