Cognitive Reablement Using Digital Voice Assistants for People Living With Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment

A Co‐Design Study

Bibliographic Data

ID24020864
AuthorsTracy Yiannis (0009-0008-9231-2904, Deakin University, corresponding author), Helen Macpherson (0000-0002-3603-9359, Deakin University), David Scott (0000-0002-4176-0466, Deakin University), Michele Callisaya (University of Tasmania), Caitlyn Gourlay (Deakin University), Ralph Maddison (0000-0001-8564-5518, Deakin University), Eugene Gvozdenko (0000-0003-3680-1873, IP Australia), Paul Jansons (0000-0002-8766-0516, Deakin University)
Year2026
Volume29
Issue4
Pagese70783-e70783
Publication date2026-08-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Expectations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-6513 • E-ISSN: 1369-7625
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/hex.70783
PMID42542978
OpenAlexW7172226273
LanguageEN
References cited73

BACKGROUND: Digital health technology has the potential to increase access to home-based reablement programmes for people living with dementia (PLwD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to support everyday living. Digital Voice Assistants (DVAs) offer a possible solution to overcome usability issues with traditional technologies due to associated cognitive, motor and visual impairments. This paper describes the co-design of a personalised reablement programme to be delivered via DVA. METHODS: PLwD or MCI (n = 9), their care partners (n = 9) and health professionals (n = 8) participated in the co-design via online workshops and semi-structured interviews. Phases 1-7 of the IDEAS (Integrate, Design, Assess and Share) framework guided this iterative process to develop a product for future feasibility testing. Consensus on essential functions and features was facilitated using the MoSCoW prioritisation method. Transcripts were analysed using a modified thematic framework to inform the reablement programme. RESULTS: Thematic requirements of a cognitive reablement program to be delivered via DVA included (1) Daily Living (self-care, household and cooking), (2) Activity Participation (leisure activities, home hobbies and ad hoc appointments), (3) Emotional Well-being (social connection and coping strategies) and (4) technical requirements (activation, adaptable content, adherence, auditory processing, awareness and training). CONCLUSIONS: The IDEAS framework successfully facilitated meaningful engagement from PLwD or MCI, their care partners, and health professionals to integrate user insights and feedback to co-design a personalised reablement program via DVA for subsequent pilot feasibility testing. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: PLwD and/or MCI, and their care partners contributed by sharing lived experiences for researchers to gain insights; collaboratively identifying behaviours requiring support; creating ideas for solutions; feeding back on prototypes and prioritising program features and functions. Health professionals fed back improvements on prototypes, identifying potential barriers and solutions to implementation of the program.

Cognition · Cognitive reframing · Coping (psychology) · Dementia · Digital health · Independent living · Thematic analysis · Usability · AI in Service Interactions · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Technology Use by Older Adults

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