Emerging Technologies for Preventing the 'New' Dementia

Ambiguous Optimism in the Canadian Context

Bibliographic Data

ID4564484
AuthorsA Leibing (0000-0003-2658-3497, Université de Montréal, corresponding author), Cynthia Lazzaroni (0009-0007-3616-9413, McGill University), Niklas Petersen (0000-0002-3926-3823, University of Göttingen)
Year2023
Volume42
Issue7
Pages607-622
Publication date2023-10-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMedical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0145-9740 • E-ISSN: 1545-5882
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/01459740.2023.2244649
PMID37552820
OpenAlexW4385650712
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited60

Experts' views on the use of mostly digital technologies for dementia prevention are characterized by a simultaneity of "gerontechnological optimism" and skeptical hesitancy. Despite the hope for progress in dementia prevention through preventive technologies, experts also point to the complexity of prevention, the importance of environmental factors and public health policies, and the danger of an excessive focus on individual interventions. Without questioning the positive impact such technologies can have on many people, we claim that the experts' ambiguity reveals a deeper concern, a kind of "cruel optimism" that is based on a fantasy of "supported autonomy

Ambiguity · Autonomy · Context (archaeology · Dementia · Emerging technologies · Epistemology · Optimism · Political science · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Public relations · Skepticism · Aging and Gerontology Research · Computer Science · Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research · Health, Environment, Cognitive Aging · History · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology