Carers’ experiences of assistive technology in dementia care at home

Key messages

• carers often use multiple assistive technologies to support people with dementia at home
• reported benefits include improved safety and reduced stress for carers
• carers experience significant information gaps about available technologies
• affordability limits access and contributes to unequal use
• technologies are frequently abandoned as needs change over time.

Policy implications

• centralised information and advice services could improve awareness and appropriate use
• loan stores may support trialling technology before purchase
• assistive technology provision should anticipate changing needs rather than one-off solutions
• better integration with formal care services may support sustained use.

Gaps

• limited evidence on how assistive technology use affects formal care demand
• lack of research on incremental addition of technologies as dementia progresses
• insufficient understanding of long-term patterns of use and technological abandonment.

Commentary
This study highlights the complex role of assistive technology in home-based dementia care. Carers often assemble multiple technologies to manage safety and daily support, reflecting both the potential value and the burden of technology use.

From a care equity perspective, information and affordability barriers are central. Carers with less access to advice or financial resources may struggle to identify suitable technologies or sustain their use as needs evolve.

The frequent abandonment of technologies underscores the importance of adaptability. Static solutions are poorly suited to the progressive nature of dementia, placing additional emotional and practical strain on carers.

Overall, the findings reinforce that the use of technology in care must be supported by clear information, ongoing advice and flexible provision. Without this, assistive technology risks increasing burden rather than supporting carers and the people they care for.