First steps in designing a videophone for people with dementia: identification of users’ potentials and the requirements of communication technology

Purpose: To identify, based on the literature, people with dementia’s potentials to manage an easy-to-use videophone, and to develop a videophone requirement specification for people with dementia. Method: The study is based on the Inclusive Design method, utilising the first two of four phases. Content analyses of literature reviews were used to identify users’ potentials for managing a videophone and to gather recommendations regarding communication technology design for the target group. Existing videophones in Sweden were examined regarding potential fit to users with dementia. Findings: This led to detailed identification of cognitive, physical and psychosocial challenges that people with dementia will probably have when using an ordinary telephone or videophone. A requirement specification for videophone design to fit users with dementia was formulated, with the seven principles of Universal Design as a framework. Conclusions: The requirement specification presented here is aimed at designing a videophone but might also facilitate design of other products for people with dementia, particularly in the field of communication technology. Based on this, further work will focus on developing a design concept and a prototype to be empirically tested by people with dementia and their significant others, i.e. the final two design process phases.Implications for RehabilitationBefore recommending the use of assistive technology or new products such as a videophone it is important to examine in detail how well the product can meet the person’s abilities and needs.If people with dementia and their significant others receive information about new products or assistive technology that could be useful for them in an early stage of the disease process they might be willing to use it.In order to facilitate acceptance and use of new products such as a videophone, the design should aim at resembling other well known similar products and people with dementia should be introduced to using it at an early stage of the disease.