Digitally Facilitating Reminders and Alerting for Individuals Struggling with Young-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Approximately 658,000 struggle with Young-Onset Dementia (YOD) in the United States alone. While on a percentage basis, these individuals represent a small subsection of the Alzheimer’s community overall, the needs associated with these individuals are highly unique and tremendously underrepresented both in academic research as well as in available age-specific Alzheimer’s services. Individuals with YOD experience a unique blend of biological, diagnostic, financial, and emotional challenges, many of which differentiate YOD individuals from their late-onset AD counterparts. This project utilizes investigation into these unique challenges to provide a foundational basis for the design and testing of the smartphone tool, Noted!, which aims to service the daily-life task-management needs of young-onset individuals struggling with stages one through four of AD. Utilizing a two-phased iterative testing approach with non-demented participants of similar demographic standing to the target user base, the final finessed prototype included necessary revisions prior to future testing of the fully developed application with members of the YOD community.