Innovating Assistive Technologies for Dementia: Empowering Underrepresented Communities
By Dr Roser Beneito-Montagut and Dr Sofia Vougioukalou
An innovative and interdisciplinary research project is underway at the Centre of Adult Social Care (CARE), School of Social Sciences (SOCSI) and the Centre for Trials Research (CTR) from Cardiff University. The project aims to transform the use of assistive technologies for people living with dementia.
Led by Dr. Sofia Vougioukalou and Dr. Roser Beneito-Montagut, the team has secured funds from the Wales Innovation Network to explore “Innovating Assistive Technologies for Dementia: Understanding and Empowering Underrepresented Communities in Social Care.”
Workshop series with underrepresented groups
The heart of this initiative lies in a series of workshops designed to listen to the needs of those affected by dementia and their carers when using assistive technologies. With a particular focus on underrepresented communities, these workshops brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including academics, health and social care professionals, people living with dementia, and their informal carers.
Despite the growing prevalence of assistive technologies, there is still a significant gap in understanding the desires and challenges of those living with dementia that belong to underrepresented communities. This project aims to bridge that gap through meaningful conversations between affected people and social care professionals, shedding new light on the potential of assistive technology to improve daily life.
sbarc|spark, Cardiff workshop
The first workshop was held at Sbarc/Spark on May 10, 2024. The day began with a series of presentations from both academics and individuals with lived experience of dementia, providing a well-rounded and diverse perspective on the subject. The afternoon session saw attendees divided into groups, tasked with co-designing collaboratively imaginary technologies. This collaborative approach produced exciting ideas, highlighting the power of combining diverse experiences and knowledge. We are very grateful for the participation of members of the British Deaf Association, Nubian Life Resource Centre, Social Care Wales, Women Connect First, and academics from Exeter University, Aberystwyth University, Swansea University and University of Wolverhampton.
Aberystwyth workshop
Building on the success of the initial workshop, the research team organised another workshop on June 7, 2024, Prof. Charles Musselwhite welcome the team to the Dialogue Center in Aberystwyth University. With a particular focus on rural areas and underrepresented communities, this workshop followed a similar structure combining talks short with different stakeholders with collaborative co-design activities. The day ended up with an exciting visit to the brand new Smart Home Lab, guided by Dr. Patricia Shaw. Social care managers and members from Pembrokeshire County Council, Age Cymru Dyfed, Disability Arts Cymru, shared their experiences of dementia and tech.
The project will continue with three community workshops with underrepresented people living with dementia. By prioritising the voices of those underserved communities directly affected by dementia, this research strand has the potential to drive meaningful innovation in social care and improve the quality of life for so many.
