Gender-sensitive conception of an instrument for autobiographical memorization and memory training for people with oblivion

In Austria, an estimated 115,000 to 130,000 people are affected by dementia. By 2050, due to the continuous ageing of the population, the number of people with the disease is predicted to double. (Auer et al. 2015). The training of memory and the accompanying preservation of (own) language is an essential prerequisite for people to be able to express their needs with oblivion. Especially in a more advanced stage of dementia, the ability to express oneself verbally is an essential component of quality of life. The emotional positive support of people with oblivion as a marginalized group of people must therefore be viewed not only as a therapeutic but as a social objective – especially since the (care) relatives and the caregivers would thus also be more relieved. For this project, corresponding workshops and qualitatively standardized interviews with affected persons, caregivers and relatives have been conducted. The themes of the interviews concerned the usage behavior, desired data of the digital instrument (from the point of view of the affected), the design of the therapy and memory exercises and the expectations and fears.