Assistive technology for the elderly population with Dementia in Norway: An approach for a more dementia friendly society

Abstract

In an aging society like Norway, the incidence of dementia is very high. For proper integration into society, It is essential to promote assistance to Persons with Dementia (PWD) and to promote help to their wellbeing and independent living. This research aims to explore the potential of available Assistive Technology (AT) in the everyday life of PWD and find out the barriers of using them. The study have been conducted in Different municipalities in Norway involving both healthcare and technology professionals who are providing these technologies to PWD. The data were collected in semi‐structured questions concerning caregivers and family member's experiences. Two main type categories have been discussed: Satisfied and Unsatisfied users and the reason behind this have been described. The qualitative results showed that most of the PWD use ATs for independence and autonomy of life. Challenges concerning AT assess for PWD from different immigrant background have also reviewed. GPS devices helped independent travel and Medicine dispenser provided scope for self-medication for PWD. The results of the study support the idea to create dementia-friendly communities at all levels, which is a cost-effective and reliable solution for this particular aging group.