Adapting UX Research for People Living with Alzheimer's, Dementia, and MCI: Improving the UX Research Process for Participants

As the number of people living with Alzheimer's and other dementia rises, more technology targeted for this group of users is being developed. However, despite advances in remote user research and the benefits of technology to support the independence of people living with dementia, a small amount of information about UX Research with this audience is available. Though there are barriers to conducting user research with people living with dementia, creating technology that appropriately fits their needs is only possible by including them in the research. Conducting research with people living with dementia requires flexibility to ensure that participants’ needs are prioritized and the most actionable feedback is collected. This paper highlights some of the adaptations I make to traditional UX research practices when planning for, leading, and analyzing research with people living with Alzheimer's, other dementia, and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).