The views and the use of information communication technologies to access dementia post-diagnostic support: a systematic review

Introduction:

Post-diagnostic support is key to ensuring the well-being of people with dementia and unpaid carers. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a shift from in-person to remote service delivery, often with the use of information communication technologies (ICT) formats. This systematic review examined how ICT has been used to access remote post-diagnostic support services that address the needs people with dementia, or those of dyad, and explored care recipients’ views on accessing dementia-related support remotely.

Method:

Concepts relating to dementia and ICT were searched across six databases (PsychInfo, PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Social Care Online, and Web of Science) in March 2021 and updated in March 2022. Studies published from 1990 and written in English, German or French were considered for inclusion. Methodological quality was appraised using the Hawker quality assessment tool and reporting structured according to PRISMA guidelines.

Results:

The search yielded 8,485 citations. Following the removal of duplicates and two screening processes, 18 studies were included. Studies described a range of post-diagnostic support, including exercise classes and therapeutic sessions, which were largely delivered remotely on a one-to-one basis. Videoconferencing software was the most employed ICT format, and people with dementia were directly engaging with ICT to access post-diagnostic support in 13 studies. Whilst studies demonstrated the feasibility of accessing post-diagnostic service remotely, overall, care recipients’ views were mixed.

Conclusions:

Following the increased reliance on ICT during the pandemic, it is likely that service delivery will continue with a hybrid approach. Accessing post-diagnostic support remotely is likely to benefit some care recipients. However, to prevent widening inequalities in access, service provision is required to accommodate to people with dementia and unpaid carers who are digitally excluded. Future research should capture the support provided by unpaid carers facilitating the engagement of the person with dementia when accessing remote post-diagnostic support.