ASU researchers test technology to support seniors with dementia

Researchers at Arizona State University are studying how technology may help older adults who live alone with dementia or other cognitive decline. The pilot program is funded by the National Institute of Health, and it’s a series of small trials to find new ways for these adults to connect with society and stay active and social using technology.

Professor David Coon, the Co-Director of the ASU Roybal Center, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss these new programs.

The ASU Roybal Center is funded by the National Institute on Aging and is a highly competitive opportunity that arises every five years. Many professionals from the Center for Innovation and Healthy and Resilient Aging came together to look at what was happening for older adults in Arizona and beyond.

“What we really saw is this growing number of people living alone with cognitive decline,” Coon said, “…and there was an opportunity within this funding mechanism…to apply for this, and that’s what we did.”

The program requires a social and behavioral basis in order to help people through social psychological means, to help improve their quality of life by using technology. iPass is a program that looks at older adults who are starting to have cognitive complaints or concerns.

“What we know is that increasing physical activity can really help people better manage not only how they feel overall,” Coon explained, “…can have some impact on their cognition…it utilizes only coaching that helps people sort of work through goals to go ahead and increase their physical activity.”

Virtual coaching is a crucial aspect of the iPass study, but it also includes education and encouragement to connect with others. Coon emphasized that one of the key issues with people living alone is that they become socially isolated.

“…getting feedback about how this person is telling this older adult is saying what they’re doing in terms of connecting with others, as well as they get more physically active,” Coon said.