The use of everyday technology such as remote controls, automated telephone services, and the Internet is commonly accepted today as part of daily life in home and society. Despite the increased presence of technology in homes and public places and the fact that everyday technology is required in a wide range of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) (1), there is still a limited knowledge of the conditions for technology use among older adults (2). This is particularly evident regarding those with cognitive disabilities. Dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are common conditions among older adults, with a prevalence of approximately 5.5 million persons diagnosed with dementia in the European Union in 2003 (3). Since people with MCI or mild-stage dementia live at home, they are
expected to manage the everyday technology that is common in homes and in society. In order to shed further light on their conditions for doing so, this study compared the perceived relevance of and difficulty in use of everyday technology in three groups. These groups were people with MCI, people with mild-stage dementia, and older adults with no known cognitive impairment.
Vocational and social activities are usually the first to be affected by a dementia disease (4). Eventually, IADLs such as managing finances, shopping, and transport are affected, while the ability to carry out personal activities of daily living (ADL), such as dressing and feeding, lasts longer (5). Today tech- nologies such as personal computers and cell phones are commonly used in vocational and social activities, and the Internet, cash machines, credit cards, and ticket machines are important tools for managing finances and public transport. While the disabling consequences of dementia on IADLs are well known, there is still limited knowledge of the ability to carry out IADL in people with MCI (6