Bridging emotional design with mobile technology: Towards the needs of dementia informal caregivers

Abstract

Informal caregiving for People Living with Dementia (PLD) presents multifaceted challenges encompassing emotional, practical, and societal dimensions. This study explores the experiences of informal caregivers in Portugal and investigates the potential role of technology, particularly mobile Digital Health solutions, in addressing their needs. A mixed-methods approach incorporating questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews gathered insights regarding participants' caregiving experiences and technology usage. Findings reveal prevalent emotional challenges, practical limitations, and societal stigmas caregivers face, underscoring the critical need for enhanced support systems. Moreover, the study identifies deficiencies in existing mobile apps designed for caregivers and highlights the potential of Emotional Design (ED) principles to address these shortcomings. To validate the potential of the gathered knowledge, this study also includes the development and testing of a prototype for an affordable integrated digital health solution. This solution consists of a mobile Android application designed for informal caregivers and a wearable smartband for use by people living with dementia (PLD). Future research should focus on validation, longitudinal studies, and co-design approaches to develop targeted interventions that effectively support informal caregivers of PLD in Portugal and beyond. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of informal caregiving dynamics and underscores the importance of integrating emotional considerations into Digital Health solution design to improve caregiver wellbeing and enhance dementia care outcomes.