| Sumario: | This study explored the views and opinions of individuals living with dementia, caregivers, and healthcare professionals on assistive technologies that facilitate independent living. Using a qualitative approach, the researchers conducted focus groups with 35 participants in England. Findings revealed both the benefits and limitations of technologies like medication management devices, activities of daily living aids, GPS tracking, and smart home systems. While participants recognized the potential to enhance independence and safety, they highlighted usability, reliability, and technological failure as significant challenges. The complexity of digital interfaces and the cognitive demands of online interactions emerged as key barriers. Participants expressed a strong desire for more adaptive, user-friendly, and responsive technologies. The study underscores the importance of user-centered design and collaboration between developers, caregivers, and people living with dementia. By addressing the identified issues, future assistive technologies can improve quality of life for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. These insights can guide the development of more effective, accessible, and ethical assistive technologies in dementia care. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: User-Centered Design Imperative: Rehabilitation professionals must prioritize collaborative, personalized technology design that actively involves individuals with dementia. The study emphasizes the critical need for adaptive interfaces that can accommodate fluctuating cognitive capacities, suggesting rehabilitation approaches should focus on technologies that can dynamically adjust to individual users' changing needs and abilities. Holistic Technology Integration: Rehabilitation strategies should view assistive technologies as complementary tools rather than complete solutions. The research highlights the importance of technologies that enhance independence while preserving human interaction, recommending that rehabilitation professionals carefully assess how technologies can support, rather than replace, personal care and social connections. Comprehensive Training and Support: Rehabilitation practitioners must develop robust training programs for both technology users and caregivers. The study reveals significant challenges in technology usability, indicating that successful rehabilitation requires not just providing assistive technologies, but also ensuring users and caregivers have the skills and confidence to effectively utilize these tools. Psychological Considerations in Technology Adoption: Rehabilitation approaches must account for the psychological impact of assistive technologies. The research demonstrates that poorly designed technologies can increase anxiety and feelings of vulnerability, emphasizing the need for rehabilitation professionals to consider emotional and cognitive responses when introducing new technological interventions.
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