Working with an Acquired Cognitive Impairment: Understanding the Challenges and Opportunities for Assistive Technologies in the Workplace
Parallel 4
18 November, 2026 12:00 – 1:10 pmYoung Onset Dementia (2)
Victoria Owen
Research Assistant in Psychology
Northumbria University
Summary
More people are working while navigating acquired cognitive impairments, including subjective cognitive decline, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and dementia. However, people may lose their job or be forced to retire early when they lack appropriate workplace accommodations. We conducted three rounds of semi-structured interviews with 13 UK individuals working while living with an acquired cognitive impairment to help us understand current workplace challenges and opportunities for technologies to support work-related activities. We developed a personalised assistive technology toolkit containing off-the-shelf devices to match individuals with digital workplace tools. Participants used the technology for 3-months completing a diary of their experience with routine check-ins with the research team. Through reflexive thematic analysis, we identified the central role that assistive technologies play in supporting memory, communication, and confidence in the workplace, and highlight how off-the-shelf technologies are adapted by people living with acquired cognitive impairments to meet their unique work-related needs.