| Sumario: | Purpose Although aging in place is preferred by most older adults and policy makers, there are situations in which aging in place can be challenging. This is particularly true in the case of cognitive decline, which has a profound influence on all aspects of life, including the use of technology1,2. Technology may compensate for some consequences of cognitive decline. However, field research on the relationship between cognitive decline and technology is scarce. In an upcoming study entitled ''Technology use while facing cognitive decline", participants with a MMSE score of 24 or lower and a proxy will be interviewed regarding (i) difficulties in the everyday use of technology, and (ii) compensatory technologies for managing cognitive decline. Method In our current longitudinal mixed-methods field study (Ageing all right, with technology by your side), house visits have been -- and continue to be - conducted every six to eight months on four occasions from 2012-2015. During each house visit: (i) chronic diseases, major life events, frailty, cognitive functioning, and quality of life are assessed; (ii) an inventory is drawn up of the use of all low-tech and high tech electronic appliances capable of supporting aging in place; and, (iii) participants are interviewed regarding their reasons for acquiring technology and changes or stability in use. Initially, at baseline (t1), participants of this study were at least 70 years old, and were required to have an MMSE score of at least 25. However, at the next occasion, eight months later (t2), some of these participants showed an MMSE score of 24 or lower. These participants, and participants that will score 24 or lower at t3 and t4, will be invited to participate in the "Technology use while facing cognitive decline" study. Results & Discussion For the current longitudinal study, house visits have already been conducted in November 2012 (t1, n=53) and June 2013 (t2, n=37). Table 1 shows the distribution of MMSE scores of participants at t1 and t2 in the current study. In the "Technology use while facing cognitive decline" study, our aim is to build a number of case-studies of participants, who, in the current longitudinal study, show an MMSE score of 24 or lower. Qualitative analysis (i.e. interviews) of factors influencing technology use will reveal a range of individual, technological, and contextual factors related to technology use in people with cognitive problems. At the congress, the methodology of the study will be outlined and preliminary findings will be presented.
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