Support in Everyday Activities with a Home-based Electronic Memory Aid for Persons with Memory Impairments

摘要

In previous studies we have found that a set of electronic memory aids in a training apartment in a hospital and in two prototype apartments could help persons with memory impairments after acquired brain injury to carry out everyday activities. In this study we have examined the possibilities of a newly developed electronic memory aid with a wireless design and individually spoken reminders as support to carry out everyday activities in the participant's own home. A multiple baseline AB design was used. Five participants with memory impairments after acquired brain injury got reminders for three activities each that they usually forget to carry out during B phase. There were automatic computer registrations of completed activities during the A and the B phase. Assessments of functioning and quality of life were conducted before and after the intervention and at follow-up after 2 months. Four participants improved in completing most of the self-chosen activities when the electronic memory aid was used. Performance and satisfaction with performance and quality of life improved, but there was no memory function improvement. The participants wanted to keep the electronic memory aids after the intervention, even if there were problems with the technology during the intervention. The current flexible wireless design with individually adjusted sensors and reminders proved to be useful. The results indicate that it is important to put high demands on the technical reliability of electronic memory aids. The reliability of the electronic memory aid should first be tested by people without disabilities in multiple home environments, taking into account the complexity of real-world behaviour that is often missing in laboratory environments. There is also a need to increase collaboration with engineers to develop appropriate electronic memory aids that can bridge the gap between the user's expectations and desires and the user's abilities and disabilities.