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User-centered exploration of access, knowledge, and perceived usefulness of technologies for remote detection, monitoring, and support of cognitive health in rural communities

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Approximately 25% of adults in the United States aged 60 years and older experience Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) which may be precursors to Alzheimer’s Disease. Families living in rural areas and contending with MCI/SCD face unique challenges due to geographic isolation, lack of specialty healthcare providers, and limited access to information and resources that support cognitive health. Thus, digital health technologies hold promise for improving cognitive health in rural communities. The aim of this study was to explore access, knowledge, and perceived usefulness of technologies for remote detection, monitoring, and support of cognitive health among rural individuals with MCI/SCD and their family members. A convergent mixed methods design was used with in-depth semi-structured interviews paired with descriptive survey data from individuals with MCI/SCD and family members. The majority of participants had access to and knowledge of technologies to support cognitive health, although perceived usefulness differed between individuals with MCI/SCD and family members. Participants described aspects of technology that they valued (e.g., to organize and track tasks, to “exercise” one’s brain, to communicate with healthcare providers, to promote safety of the person with MCI/SCD), as well as concerns that they had (e.g., “generational” barriers to adoption and use, financial cost, privacy and security, lack of human interaction). Findings from this study directly inform the development of supportive technologies for meeting the needs of rural families experiencing MCI/SCD. Not applicable.

Source: BMC Digital Health

DOI: 10.1186/s44247-026-00251-2