https://repositorio.unini.edu.mx/id/eprint/28471 2026-04-29T19:19:06Z info:eu-repo/semantics/descriptiveMetadata http://repositorio.unini.edu.mx/id/eprint/28471/ http://repositorio.unini.edu.mx/id/eprint/28471/ Non‑pharmacological care for early-stage dementia through smart environments in Colombia: a mixed‑methods study and methodological guide for caregivers and patients Romero-Torres, Mariano Arambarri, Jon Parodi-Camano, Tobias A. Biomedicina Psicología Background Dementia is increasing in Latin America, creating demand for non-pharmacological support that can be delivered safely at home. Smart environments and related digital tools may help caregivers and people with early-stage dementia by supporting safety, reminders, and communication. This study assessed needs and acceptability in Colombia and produced a methodological guide for technology selection. Methods We conducted a sequential exploratory mixed-methods study. First, a focused evidence synthesis informed a feature catalogue and instrument design. Second, we administered a cross-sectional questionnaire to caregivers and people living with early-stage dementia. Quantitative data were summarised with descriptive statistics and non-parametric group comparisons; open-ended responses were analysed thematically and integrated with the quantitative findings. Results Fifty-one responses were analysed. Safety-oriented functions (for example, fall detection and geolocation), reminders for activities of daily living, tele-assistance, and cognitive tele-stimulation were the most frequently prioritised. Acceptability was generally higher for low-burden technologies with clear usefulness, and age differences were limited across key comparisons. Conclusions In this sample, smart-environment-enabled non-pharmacological support was feasible and broadly acceptable for early-stage dementia care. The methodological guide emphasises prioritising safety and reminders, reducing interaction burden, and incorporating privacy-by-design. Further studies should validate these findings with larger and more diverse samples and evaluate implementation outcomes. 2026-03 Artículo PeerReviewed text en http://repositorio.unini.edu.mx/id/eprint/28471/1/bf87c935-cfe0-47c6-93f8-aafc53fefd24_f1000res177177.pdf Artículo Materias > Biomedicina <http://repositorio.unini.edu.mx/view/subjects/uneat=5Fbm.html> Materias > Psicología <http://repositorio.unini.edu.mx/view/subjects/uneat=5Fps.html> Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana México > Investigación > Artículos y libros <http://repositorio.unini.edu.mx/view/divisions/uninimx=5Fproduccion=5Fcientifica.html> Abierto Inglés Background Dementia is increasing in Latin America, creating demand for non-pharmacological support that can be delivered safely at home. Smart environments and related digital tools may help caregivers and people with early-stage dementia by supporting safety, reminders, and communication. This study assessed needs and acceptability in Colombia and produced a methodological guide for technology selection. Methods We conducted a sequential exploratory mixed-methods study. First, a focused evidence synthesis informed a feature catalogue and instrument design. Second, we administered a cross-sectional questionnaire to caregivers and people living with early-stage dementia. Quantitative data were summarised with descriptive statistics and non-parametric group comparisons; open-ended responses were analysed thematically and integrated with the quantitative findings. Results Fifty-one responses were analysed. Safety-oriented functions (for example, fall detection and geolocation), reminders for activities of daily living, tele-assistance, and cognitive tele-stimulation were the most frequently prioritised. Acceptability was generally higher for low-burden technologies with clear usefulness, and age differences were limited across key comparisons. Conclusions In this sample, smart-environment-enabled non-pharmacological support was feasible and broadly acceptable for early-stage dementia care. The methodological guide emphasises prioritising safety and reminders, reducing interaction burden, and incorporating privacy-by-design. Further studies should validate these findings with larger and more diverse samples and evaluate implementation outcomes. metadata Romero-Torres, Mariano; Arambarri, Jon y Parodi-Camano, Tobias A. mail SIN ESPECIFICAR, jon.arambarri@uneatlantico.es, SIN ESPECIFICAR <http://repositorio.unini.edu.mx/id/eprint/28471/1/bf87c935-cfe0-47c6-93f8-aafc53fefd24_f1000res177177.pdf> (2026) Non‑pharmacological care for early-stage dementia through smart environments in Colombia: a mixed‑methods study and methodological guide for caregivers and patients. F1000Research, 15. p. 433. ISSN 2046-1402 http://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.177177.1 doi:10.12688/f1000research.177177.1 en info:eu-repo/semantics/objectFile info:eu-repo/semantics/humanStartPage