TITLE:
The Use of Social Media in Dementia Care: A Scoping Review
AUTHORS:
Mohammed Saeed Azzahrani, Martina Spanevello, Ermias Girma Tsega, Mulualem Endeshaw
KEYWORDS:
Alzheimer’s Disease, Social Media Use, Technology, Dementia Care
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Alzheimer's Disease,
Vol.14 No.1,
March
31,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: The global aging population, including individuals with cognitive impairment, is rapidly increasing, posing significant challenges for dementia care. Cognitive impairment is characterized by progressive memory decline, difficulty acquiring new information, and reduced attention, all of which impact daily functioning and caregiving needs. Emerging technologies, particularly social media, offer innovative opportunities to support individuals with dementia and their caregivers at various stages of the condition. This scoping review aims to synthesize existing research on the use of social media in dementia care and explore its potential role in enhancing the quality of care and support for individuals living with dementia. Methods: Relevant studies were searched from: MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, Trials Registers, Embase, and CINAHL using search terms social media and dementia care (October 24, 2024). In addition, Google Scholar and gray literature were also searched using keywords to ensure a comprehensive search. Only studies published after 2016 were included in the scoping review to get up-to-date evidence. We used thematic analysis to identify the role of social media use in dementia care. Result: A total of 20 articles published from 2017 to 2024 were included in this scoping review. The review identified six key themes that demonstrate the role of social media and technology in enhancing dementia care and promoting patient independence. The themes identified were social media as a platform for awareness and education, technology-enabled care solutions, caregiver support and empowerment, patient independence and quality of life, challenges and barriers, and cultural and linguistic considerations. Conclusion and Recommendations: Social media and technology enhance dementia care by raising awareness, supporting caregivers, and fostering patient independence and satisfaction. However, barriers like digital literacy, cost, privacy, and cultural factors hinder widespread adoption. Future research should focus on assessing the long-term effectiveness of social media in raising awareness, optimizing digital tools for dementia-friendly use, and exploring cultural and linguistic adaptations.