Running Head: TECHNOLOGY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Technology for Senior Citizens

Catherine Bendziewicz
Research 1
Chapin High School
1 May 2015

TECHNOLOGY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Abstract:
This study will determine whether there is a difference in what senior citizens remember,
depending on if they are predisposed to Alzheimers or not. Someone who is predisposed to
Alzheimers is known to either have slight symptoms of Alzheimers or have a relative
diagnosed with Alzheimers as well. The initial idea was to slow the decline in memory of
people predisposed to Alzheimers, but that has advanced to first realize if there is a definite
difference in memory depending on predisposition. With the results a further project could be
done to determine if the decline of memory could be slowed. Studies have been conducted at a
retirement home where a technology class was taught for 30 minutes once a week for four
weeks. At the conclusion of the classes, an assessment was given to see what they remember
how to do on their own and given a score out of 100. One month later participants will return,
and will be given the same assessment to observe the change in scores. A matched pairs t-test
will be used to examine the scores before and after for both groups of people to determine if
there is a significant difference in memory. A small p value will show that people predisposed to
Alzheimers have more memory loss than people not, proving my hypothesis correct. The
purpose of this project will be to see how much, if any, of a difference there is in memory of
people both predisposed to Alzheimers and not.

TECHNOLOGY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Table of Contents:
Title Page.................1
Abstract....................2
Table of Contents.................3
Introduction..................4
Background..................4
Procedure.................5
Results..................6
Conclusion...................7
Appendix..................7
Citation.................8

TECHNOLOGY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Introduction:
With Alzheimers disease becoming more and more common, scientists are always trying to find
the best way to prevent it. Most studies have found that the most beneficial thing for people
predisposed to Alzheimers, either have family with it or slight symptoms of it, should learn new
skills that they continue to use to exercise their brain. With this in mind, the purpose of this
project is to determine if there is indeed a difference in how much people memory concerning
their history with Alzheimers. This study will be useful to determine different ways people can
offset their decline of memory, if there is a difference. During my study I believe people
predisposed to Alzheimers will remember less skills taught to them on a technological device
after an extended period of time, compared to those not predisposed to Alzheimers.

Background:
A study has been conducted in Manhattan to prevent memory loss, starting with people with
family members with dementia. This study is analyzing whether people with family members
diagnosed with dementia tend to develop dementia as well (Reddy, S). Neuro Alzheimer's
disease can help offset the symptoms of Alzheimer's, shown in a study at Harvard. It isn't
apparent how long the results will last, but it was found that modern activities were more helpful
(Harvard). Research and testing has shown that increasing daily activities is more effective than
mind games, exercising, and eating healthy (Consumers).

TECHNOLOGY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Procedure:
For this study participants from a local retirement home, The Heritage at Lowman in White
Rock, SC, will be invited to join a technology class once a week for four weeks. Everyone in the
community of the independent living facilities will be invited via their mailbox to bring any
technological device they have to the class to learn how to use it. The study is open to both males
and females and participants could range anywhere from 65 to 100. Each person is invited to
attend one class, either Thursdays or Saturdays every week, for 30 minutes to learn how to better
use their devices. Participants will choose what they would like to learn and each skill they learn
will be recorded, with the date, next to their name. At the conclusion of the fourth week, an
assessment will be given to each person to see how much they remember on their own, and they
will be given a score out of 100 based on completion and memory. One month later everyone
will return and be given the same assessment and the scores will be compared based on their
history concerning Alzheimers. The data will be compared using two matched pairs t-tests, one
for each group of people. A small p value will show more memory loss. A p value smaller for
people predisposed to Alzheimers than people not predisposed to Alzheimers, will prove my
hypothesis correct. As with all activities with senior citizens, risks could include falling or any
sudden emergency. To be prepared I will be conducting all of my studies in the retirement
facility, so we will be around people who deal with this and are constantly prepared for
emergencies. Not only will this study help determine if people predisposed to Alzheimers have a
slight memory decline already, but it will also give senior citizens the chance to learn how to use
their devices. To protect the privacy of the participants, I will use subject headings like 1, 2, 3,
etc. when saying scores and their history concerning Alzheimers.

TECHNOLOGY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Results:
A matched pairs t-test was used to determine which group of people remembered less after an
extended period of time. A smaller p-value will show that there was more memory loss for that
group as opposed to a larger p-value. The p value of the predisposed group was .14. The p value
of the non-predisposed group was .63. This shows that the neither group had a significant
difference in memory loss because the value was much larger than the accepted .05. This could
be because there were only 6 people that were able to participate in my before and after test and
therefore be put into the statistical analysis. Although the results arent statistically significant,
the value of the predisposed group was much smaller than the value of the non-predisposed
group. This proves my hypothesis correct in stating the people predisposed to Alzheimers
remember less.
In the future I hope to do the same project, but get a larger group of people so it can have
statistical significance. In order to do this I plan to start sooner and send out more reminders. I
will also put a sign-up sheet out where they normally have sign-up sheets. In doing this I hope
that more participants will show up because they can see who all is going and feel more
comfortable based on that. Lastly, I hope that the people who participated this year can help with
advertising and even be a witness in saying that it was helpful and recommend it to others.

TECHNOLOGY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Conclusion:
My hypothesis was that the people in the group predisposed to Alzheimers would remember less
than the group not predisposed to Alzheimers. Although the statistics were not statistically
significant, the p values do show that my hypothesis was correct. The results could not be
considered to be significant due to a small group of people to participate. It was learned that it is
difficult to get a lot of participants from an older group of people.

Predisposed

Score

120
100
80
60
40
20
0

Preliminary score (%)

45
1
1

Appendix:

Post-score (%)

10092

98 86

86

85 80

2
2
3
Participant number

3
5

TECHNOLOGY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Not Predisposed
95
Preliminary
score (%)

90
Score 85
80

91
82

Post-score (%)

88
86

75
4

6
Participant number

Citations:
Consumers. How to sharpen your memory now. (cover story). (2014, April). Consumer Reports
on Health, 26(5), 1.
Harvard. Before dementia begins: What helps?. (2013). Harvard Men's Health Watch, 18(3), 1.
Harvard. Can we reverse Alzheimer's? New approaches from Harvard offer hope. (2013).

TECHNOLOGY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Harvard Health Letter, 38(3), 1.

Herper, M. (2012). Reverse engineering the brain. Forbes,190(6), 72.
Idea of project [Telephone interview]. (2014, September 22).
Nutritionists. Ginkgo Counteracts Dementia and Stroke. (2009). Better Nutrition,71(1), 12.
Reddy, S. (2014, September 16). Alzheimer's prevention for 30-something's with no symptoms.
The Wall Street Journal, pp. D1-D4.