Applying gerontechnology to dementia care: experiences from long-term care workers in Taiwan.
Purpose: This study explored the experiences of long-term care workers in using assistive technologies in dementia-specific care facilities in Taiwan, with a focus on perceived benefits, challenges encountered, and required support strategies. Methods: A qualitative research design was employed. Ten...
| Publicado en: | Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology Vol. 21; no. 1; pp. 229 - 241 |
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| Autor principal: | |
| Formato: | research tables/charts Journal Article |
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Taylor & Francis Ltd
Jan2026
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| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=190668419&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 190668419 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 17483107 1X04 jtl: Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology issn: 17483107 maglogo: Y pubinfo: dt: Jan2026 vid: 21 iid: 1 pid: 377 pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania artinfo: ui: 190668419 187776803 190668419 190668419 10.1080/17483107.2025.2553842 190668419 ppf: 229 ppct: 12 formats: tig: atl: Applying gerontechnology to dementia care: experiences from long-term care workers in Taiwan. aug: au: Wang, Yi-Fen affil: Department of Senior Citizen Services, National Tainan Junior College of Nursing, Tainan, Taiwan sug: subj: Dementia In Old Age Long Term Care In Old Age Gerontologic Care Taiwan Assistive Technology Utilization Nursing Home Personnel Taiwan Work Experiences Evaluation Treatment Outcomes Evaluation Support, Psychosocial Human Assistive Technology Services Taiwan Qualitative Studies Residential Facilities Semi-Structured Interview Thematic Analysis Security Measures, Electronic Wearable Sensors Robotics Documentation Treatment Errors Prevention and Control Dementia Patients Comfort User-Computer Interface Computer Literacy Age Factors Digital Technology Female Adult Middle Age Aged Phenomenological Research Funding Source Adult: 19-44 years Middle Aged: 45-64 years Aged: 65+ years Female ab: Purpose: This study explored the experiences of long-term care workers in using assistive technologies in dementia-specific care facilities in Taiwan, with a focus on perceived benefits, challenges encountered, and required support strategies. Methods: A qualitative research design was employed. Ten female care workers from five dementia-specific long-term care institutions, each with at least 1 year of experience using assistive technologies, participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Participants generally reported that technologies such as bed-exit sensors, electronic fences, interactive robots, and sensory games improved work efficiency, reduced documentation errors, and helped soothe residents with dementia. However, the older care staff faced challenges related to complex user interfaces and insufficient training. A negative finding of this study was that the technologies often failed to align with real-world care needs and the behavioral characteristics of individuals with dementia, which negatively affected their willingness to use them. To effectively implement gerontechnologies, care facilities should adopt user-centered designs, establish effective communication channels, and provide peer support and tailored training programs. Conclusion: Assistive technologies have the potential to reduce caregiving burdens. Nevertheless, inadequate consideration of support and design requirements can increase stress for long-term care workers. This study highlights the practical needs of older care staff and the importance of organizational support systems, offering valuable insights for future development and implementation of assistive technologies in long-term care settings. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Gerontechnology can reduce caregiving burden in dementia care through monitoring, guidance, and emotional support. Effective use requires user-centered design and adequate training for middle-aged care workers. Policy support, incentives, and evaluation are needed to promote sustainable adoption in long-term care. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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