title: Can people with Alzheimer's disease improve their day-to-day functioning with a tablet computer?
abstract: New technologies, such as tablet computers, present great potential to support the day-to-day living of persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, whether people with AD can learn how to use a tablet properly in daily life remains to be demonstrated. A single case study was conducted with a 65-year-old woman with AD. A specific and structured intervention tailored to her needs was conceptualised for the use of a calendar application on a tablet computer according to the following learning stages: Acquisition, Application and Adaptation. In spite of her severe episodic memory deficit, she showed progressive learning of the tablet application during the intervention phase. Furthermore, data compiled over 12 months post-use show that she used the tablet successfully in her day-to-day life. She was even able to transfer her newly acquired ability to other available applications designed to monitor regular purchases, consult various recipes and play games. Tablet computers thereby offer a promising avenue for cognitive rehabilitation for persons with AD. This success was mainly achieved through a one-on-one individual programme tailored to this person. The limits and constraints of utilising tablet computers for persons with AD are discussed.
authors.affiliation: a Health and Social Services Centre , University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke , Québec , Canada.
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Imbeault
authors.affiliation: a Health and Social Services Centre , University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke , Québec , Canada.
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Langlois
authors.affiliation: a Health and Social Services Centre , University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke , Québec , Canada.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bocti
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychology , Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke , Canada.
authors.forename: Lise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gagnon
authors.affiliation: c School of Rehabilitation , Université de Montréal , Quebec , Canada.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bier
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D063731:Mobile Applications; D000066530:Neurological Rehabilitation
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; activities of daily living; memory deficits; rehabilitation; tablet computer