Systematic Review of Smart Home Assistive Technology Devices for Supporting People With Dementia Living in Their Homes

OBJECTIVES: Most people with dementia prefer remaining in their own homes as long as possible. Smart home assistive technologies are being developed to enhance safety and autonomy of people with dementia and to support their caregivers. However, evidence for their efficacy and effectiveness in community-based dementia care remains uncertain. Hence, we aim to systematically review the available evidence on the efficacy of smart home assistive technology devices for supporting people with dementia living in their homes. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA-2020 guidelines (PROSPERO ID:CRD420251051358). We comprehensively searched four databases. Eligible studies examined smart home or wearable devices used by people with dementia in home or supported accommodation settings. We systematically performed quality assessment, data extraction, and the GRADE assessment. Meta-analyses were conducted when three or more studies investigated similar outcomes. RESULTS: We screened 3176 abstracts and identified 18 eligible studies that investigated 17 devices. There is level-2 evidence supporting the use of companion robots, electric calendar, a night-time home monitoring system and the People Power Caregiver system. Our meta-analysis did not find evidence supporting the use of the investigated devices for reducing caregiver burden (p = 0.68; Hedges's g = 0.01; 95% CI -0.14 to 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: Smart home technologies for dementia care are acceptable and feasible. However, current evidence for their efficacy remains limited. Larger clinical trials are required to strengthen their evidence base and justify their routine use in supporting people with dementia and caregivers.