Smartphone App to Improve Physical Activity in Older Adults With MCI/Mild Dementia

The purpose of this study is to develop and test a physical activity-tracking smartphone app designed to facilitate physical activity in older adults with mild cognitive impairments or mild dementia. The app targets provides tips, messages, and strategies to overcome common barriers older adults face to being physically active. Participants will include older adults with memory or thinking problems or those diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or mild forms of dementia who are smartphone users age 65 years or older and who are not meeting nationally recommended levels of physical activity. In the clinical trial phase of this study, 15 participant-study partner dyads will be oriented to the app and use it for a two-month period. Dyads will keep a diary to document their experiences and participants' activity patterns will also be tracked at the beginning and end of the study. After the two-month app trial is complete, dyads will return for a follow-up interview to discuss their experiences and provide suggestions for app improvements. Findings from this stage of the overall study will be combined with previous study phases to derive specifications for an optimized app for older people with mild cognitive impairments or mild dementia.