Introduction: Nursing home residents with dementia need cognitively stimulating and enjoyable activities, and computer technology offers them a means of engaging in such activities. This study therefore examined the feasibility of providing a 12-week computer activity program (CAP) for nursing homes residents with dementia.
Methods: Fourteen participants completed the CAP, and 462 observational logs of CAP sessions were analyzed.
Results: On average, participants completed 33 sessions amounting to 936.5 minutes over 12 weeks. Participants with mild and moderate dementia preferred playing a cognitively challenging game such as solitaire, while those with severe dementia enjoyed watching slideshows with music.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that it is important to match computer activities to interests and cognitive ability in order to increase participation and satisfaction of NH residents with dementia.