Assistive technology for cognition: enabling activities of daily living

Assistive Technology for Cognition (ATC) is the use of technology to extend human mental capacity. The present chapter reviews the use of assistive technology in health and social care for people with cognitive impairment. The review conceptualizes ATC in terms of function (reminding, alerting, micro prompting, distracting, storing and displaying, navigating, and biofeedback), as opposed to the type of technology (mobile phone, desk-top computer, etc.). This is necessary as many modern devices can perform multiple functions. Some important distinctions are revealed by this new way of looking at assistive technology. Of particular significance is whether the ATC intervention is enabling the external control of action or whether it prompts internal self-regulation.