A Web-Based Self-management App for Living Well With Dementia: User-Centered Development Study

Abigail Rebecca Lee; Emese Csipke; Lauren Yates; Esme Moniz-Cook; Orii McDermott; Steven Taylor; Michael Stephens; Daniel Kelleher; Martin Orrell

doi:10.2196/40785

A Web-Based Self-management App for Living Well With Dementia: User-Centered Development Study

JMIR Hum Factors. 2023 Feb 24:10:e40785. doi: 10.2196/40785.

Authors

Abigail Rebecca Lee¹, Emese Csipke², Lauren Yates³, Esme Moniz-Cook⁴, Orii McDermott¹, Steven Taylor⁵, Michael Stephens⁵, Daniel Kelleher^{6

7}, Martin Orrell¹

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Mental Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
² Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
³ Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
⁴ Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, Kingston-upon-Hull, United Kingdom.
⁵ Ayup Digital, Leeds, United Kingdom.
⁶ Research & Development, Humber Teaching National Health Service Foundation Trust, Willerby, United Kingdom.
⁷ Centre for Applied Dementia Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, United Kingdom.

PMID: 36826978
PMCID: PMC10007001
DOI: 10.2196/40785

Abstract

Background: Self-management, autonomy, and quality of life are key constructs in enabling people to live well with dementia. This population often becomes isolated following diagnosis, but it is important for them to feel encouraged to maintain their daily activities and stay socially active. Promoting Independence in Dementia (PRIDE) fosters social inclusion and greater dementia self-management through an interactive handbook.

Objective: This study aimed to develop a paper-based PRIDE manual on a web-based platform.

Methods: Two overarching stages were used to create the web-based version of PRIDE. The first was Preliminary Development, which encompassed tendering, preliminary development work, consultations, beta version of the website, user testing and consultation on beta version, and production of the final web-based prototype. The second stage was Development of the Final PRIDE App, which included 2 sprints and further user testing.

Results: Through a lengthy development process, modifications were made to app areas such as the log-in process, content layout, and aesthetic appearance. Feedback from the target population was incorporated into the process to achieve a dementia-friendly product. The finished PRIDE app has defined areas for reading dementia-related topics, creating activity plans, and logging these completed activities.

Conclusions: The PRIDE app has evolved from its initial prototype into a more dementia-friendly and usable program that is suitable for further testing. The finished version will be tested in a reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance study, with its potential reach, effectiveness, and adoption explored. Feedback gathered during the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance study will lead to any further developments in the app to increase its applicability to the target audience and usability.

Keywords: dementia; independence; psychosocial; quality of life; self-management; web-based; website.

©Abigail Rebecca Lee, Emese Csipke, Lauren Yates, Esme Moniz-Cook, Orii McDermott, Steven Taylor, Michael Stephens, Daniel Kelleher, Martin Orrell. Originally published in JMIR Human Factors (https://humanfactors.jmir.org), 24.02.2023.