Int J Geriat Psychiatry - 2023 - Hicks - Using digital technologies to facilitate social inclusion during the COVID%E2%80%9019.pdf (270.83 kB)
Using digital technologies to facilitate social inclusion during the COVID-19 pandemic: experiences of co-resident and non-co-resident family carers of people with dementia from DETERMIND-C19
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-15, 15:43 authored by Ben HicksBen Hicks, Kate Gridley, Josie Dixon, Kate Baxter, Yvonne Birks, Carmen Natalie Monique ColcloughCarmen Natalie Monique Colclough, Anomita Karim, Rotem Perach, Elen Moseley, Alice Russell, Harsharon K Sondh, Bryony Storey, Eva Tipping, Riona Mc Ardle, Paul Donaghy, Margaret Dangoor, Eleanor MilesEleanor Miles, Louise Robinson, Jennifer Rusted, Harriet Waine, Katherine Wheatley, Sube Banerjee, DETERMIND teamBackground The COVID-19 pandemic triggered rapid and unprecedented changes in the use of digital technologies to support people's social inclusion. We examined whether and how co-resident and non-co-resident family carers of people with dementia engaged with digital technologies during this period. Methods Throughout November 2020-February 2021, we interviewed 42 family carers of people with dementia from our DETERMIND-C19 cohort. Preliminary analysis was conducted through Framework analysis, followed by an inductive thematic analysis. Findings Digital technologies served as a Facilitator for social inclusion by enabling carers to counter the effects of the differing restrictions imposed on them so they could remain socially connected and form a sense of solidarity, access resources and information, engage in social and cultural activities and provide support and independence in their caring role. However, these experiences were not universal as carers discussed some Challenges for tech inclusion, which included preferences for face-to-face contact, lack of technological literacy and issues associated with the accessibility of the technology. Conclusion Many of the carers engaged with Information and Communication Technologies, and to a lesser extent Assistive Technologies, during the pandemic. Whilst carers experienced different challenges due to where they lived, broadly the use of these devices helped them realise important facets of social inclusion as well as facilitated the support they provided to the person with dementia. However, to reduce the ‘digital divide’ and support the social inclusion of all dementia carers, our findings suggest it is essential that services are attuned to their preferences, needs and technological abilities.
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Publication status
- Published
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- Published version
Journal
Int J Geriatr PsychiatryISSN
0885-6230Publisher
WileyExternal DOI
Issue
2Volume
38Page range
e5886 1-13Event location
EnglandDepartment affiliated with
- BSMS Neuroscience Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2023-02-14First Open Access (FOA) Date
2023-02-14First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2023-02-13Usage metrics
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