1. “I Can Keep My Memories:”
Using iPads to Gather Life Stories for People with Down Syndrome and Dementia
Eilish King, Pamela Dunne, Stephanie Lynch,
Ferrilyth Lowe, Evelyn Reilly, Carolyn Shivers & Mary McCarron
INTRODUCTION
RESULTS
Technology tools may support improvements in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and dementia,
Understanding the needed adaptations before implementation is critical.
Reviews of interviews and notes supported value of iPads for life story work for individuals with ID and dementia.
Despite having no prior experience, P learned basics of manipulating the iPad and apps, populating it with autobiographical information, likes, and dislikes (pictured below).
Staff appreciated the iPad keeping all of P’s photos and music, new and old in one place.
Initial set-up was time consuming and must be considered in any wider scale implementation of IPad use, to be presented at the workshop Future of Assistive Technologies.
DESIGN
Utilizing an iPad for life story work with an individual with Down syndrome and dementia was explored with one subject at a community living residence in Dublin, Ireland
Research Team: clinical nursing specialists, an occupational therapist, and an occupational therapy student
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1) Is iPad use for life story work feasible for an individual with Down syndrome and dementia living in a community setting?
2) What are needed adaptations?
3) What are the barriers to the implementation?
4) Do staff and the individual with DS and dementia find the iPad an acceptable tool for life story work?
METHODS
PARTICIPANT – P is a 53-year-old woman with Down syndrome and early-stage dementia.
TECHNOLOGY – Apps selected to support to life story work for individuals with ID and dementia included:
Our Story – collects and labels pictures with both captions and recorded messages.
Niki Music – labels of songs with easily-recognized images.
DISCUSSION & FUTURE DIRECTIONS
P and her staff responded positively to the iPad, learning the basics of use, including manipulating the touch screen and use of apps.
P was able to demonstrate procedures in Our Story and Niki Music and successful use of a picture-based guidebook .
The primary implementation barrier was time. Though P took to the new technology quite well, she still needed staff supervision throughout the process.
Overall, P found the iPad very useful and acceptable, stating “It helps me to keep my memories.”
The benefits of iPads extend well beyond life story work but the findings indicate there must be support for staff when introducing such technology.
A larger-scale implementation project is underway at the Daughters of Charity examining these support needs and the use of iPads with individuals with a broad range of abilities.
PROTOCOL – Over 5 month period, research team worked directly with P to purchase the iPad, populate it with personal pictures and songs and practice use. A project specific picture-based guide book guided activities
MEASURES – Interviews with P and her key worker and research team implementation notes.