Can monitoring older adults’ technology use patterns help detect cognitive decline?

Abstract Approximately six million U.S. older adults are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), and this number is expected to more than double by mid-century. Monitoring older adults’ cognitive functioning is essential for the early detection of cognitive diseases, such as AD, which can increase treatment efficacy and slow AD’s progression. Cognitive functioning tests, however, have limitations as administrating them can be costly and time-consuming. This study aimed to determine whether technology use patterns could be used as an indicator of cognitive functioning. We utilized six waves (from 2015 to 2020) of data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study to assess whether stopping the use of different types of technology (using the Internet, computers or tablets, or sending texts and emails) are associated with cognitive functioning (memory, orientation, and executive functioning). We controlled for age, gender, marital status, race, education, activities of daily living, and overall health. Our analyses showed that stopping the use of going online, computers, tablets, and sending texts and emails were related to cognitive decline. These results suggest that practitioners should incorporate assessments of their patient’s online activity and use as it may be an innovative approach that is economical and efficient to identify individuals at risk of cognitive decline.