The use of everyday technology; a comparison of older persons with cognitive impairments’ self-reports and their proxies’ reports

Abstract

Introduction: Older persons with cognitive impairment have often been disregarded in providing information on their own perceptions. This study explored the number of relevant everyday technologies and the ability to use everyday technologies as perceived by persons with cognitive impairment in comparison with their proxies’ estimates using the Short Everyday Technology Use Questionnaire. Method: In this cross-sectional study, persons with cognitive impairment (n = 21) and their proxies (n = 21) were interviewed on separate occasions with the Short Everyday Technology Use Questionnaire, which measures the number of relevant everyday technologies and the ability to use everyday technologies. The data were analysed with t-tests, z-comparisons, and Fisher’s exact test. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: At the group level, no significant differences were found between persons with cognitive impairments’ perceptions and their proxies’ estimates regarding the number of relevant everyday technologies or the ability to use everyday technologies. On the individual level, significant differences were found in the ability measures within four out of the 21 dyads. Conclusion: The persons with cognitive impairment and their proxies verified each other’s responses, providing evidence that persons with cognitive impairment should be the primary source for information about their own everyday technology use.