Can the Everyday Technology Use Questionnaire predict overall functional level among older adults with mild cognitive impairment or mild-stage Alzheimer's disease? – A pilot study

Introduction: The number of older adults living with mild cognitive impairment or mild-stage Alzheimer’s disease is increasing and they are often expected to live in their own homes without support, despite limited ability... [ view full abstract ]

Introduction: The number of older adults living with mild cognitive impairment or mild-stage Alzheimer’s disease is increasing and they are often expected to live in their own homes without support, despite limited ability to perform daily life activities. The Everyday Technology Use Questionnaire has proven to be able to separate these groups and might also have potential to predict their overall function.
Aim: To investigate if the Everyday Technology Use Questionnaire can predict overall function among older adults with mild cognitive impairment or mild-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Method: Participants were older adults with a mean age of 76 years with mild cognitive impairment (n=28) or mild-stage Alzheimer’s disease (n=39). A three-step scale indicating level of needed assistance in daily life was dichotomised in two ways and used as outcome variables in two logistic regression models. Predictors were perceived ability to use everyday technology and amount of relevant everyday technologies measured by the Everyday Technology Use Questionnaire.
Result: Perceived ability to use everyday technology discriminated individuals who were independent or in need of minimal support from those in need of moderate to maximal assistance (OR=1.82, p<0.01, Confidence Interval=95%; 1.76-2.82). The amount of relevant everyday technologies discriminated individuals who were independent from those in need of assistance (OR=1.39; p<0.01; Confidence Interval =95%; 1.11-1.75).
Conclusion: Both amount perceived ability to use ET and amount of relevant everyday technologies had potential to predict overall function but at different levels. The findings support further research developing cut-off criteria for the Everyday Technology Use Questionnaire.