This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Touch & Play interactive activity screen as welfare technology to enhance the well-being of nursing home residents with dementia. A secondary aim was to examine whether the success of individual Touch & Play sessions was associated with contextual and individual factors. Ten residents aged 72–90 years with severe dementia participated in a 12-month study at a Norwegian nursing home. Residents used the activity screen regularly, individually or in small groups, assisted by staff. Data was collected through interviews, standardized cognitive and physical tests, and systematic observations recorded in a logbook. The results show that the well-being was high among the residents of the surveyed nursing home, and it seems that the interactive activity screen contributed to increased happiness and led to less anxiety and turmoil. The activity screen’s effect on physical and cognitive capacity is uncertain, but we find indications of a slightly positive effect. Participants also reported increased engagement and social interaction. While limited by a small sample and lack of a control group, the findings suggest that interactive welfare technology may promote meaningful activity and quality of life in dementia care, warranting further large-scale evaluation.
Kristin H. Roll (Fri,) studied this question.