Technology for psychosocial interventions for individuals with Alzheimer's: Reminiscence therapy and monitoring progressive decline of cognitive abilities

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a growing problem that affects the lives of diagnosed individuals and their caregivers. Many AD patients and their caregivers find the symptoms of memory loss and emotional distress the most challenging and distressing effects of the disease. Psychosocial therapy is often sought for symptoms affecting memory, communication, the ability to learn new skills and behavioral problems such as agitation, aggression, and depression. In this paper, we describe interactive technologies designed as catalysts for longitudinal monitoring of memory decline for people with AD and for facilitating interactions between caregivers and people with Alzheimer's. Design considerations for elderly patients, variability of visual and auditory memory cues, and implications for objectively monitoring the progressive decline of memory in the context of reminiscence therapy are discussed.