Do digital devices and telehealth have a future role in supporting older adults with dementia in Aotearoa? A qualitative study based on experiences during COVID-19

Telehealth has been gaining increasing interest over the past months since the COVID-19 infection required countries to go into total lockdown. The sudden adaption of lockdown measures changed the way we access health services and support networks. Healthcare services such as outpatient clinics, visiting the GP as well as community support services including Alzheimers/Dementia organisations had to work in different ways or be suspended. The withdrawal of these services during COVID-19 is likely to have a significant impact on people with dementia and their families. Therefore, supporting older adults with dementia and maintaining their well-being during COVID-19 has become a priority. Even through digital devices such as smart phones, tablets, smart home systems, robots and virtual reality have been used in dementia care delivery, it is unclear how Maori and non-Maori people with MCI and dementia and their supporters engage and navigate digital technology. We plan to interview people with MCI and kaumātua/kuia living in the community to find out their experiences and views on technology-based interventions to understand better what are the drivers and barriers to using technology. Closing the digital divide will provide opportunities ensuring both Māori and non-Māori with cognitive impairment and dementia to have better access to digital devices and telehealth, which could be used to provide health and social services during the current COVID-19 (or a similar pandemic in the future) and beyond for people with physical disabilities, reduced mobility, no transport or living rurally.