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Social Networks & Alzheimer’s
At present there are few studies done to evaluate the relationship between social networking and reducing the effects of cognitive impairment - specifically in Alzheimer's disease. In a study conducted by Bennett, Schneider, Tang, Arnold and Wilson in 2006, shows that, "cognitive function was related to all measures of disease pathology". It was found that, "cognitive function remained higher for participants with larger network sizes" ; meaning those that are "more engaged with social networking have higher cognitive function". "The modifying effects to cognitive impairment were most pronounced in semantic memory and working memory". It is also important to note, "[...]social networks can alter the relation of some Alzheimer’s disease pathology to level of cognitive function". Activity engagement and social media is another topic that is being evaluated by Ghisletta, Bickel and Lovden in 2006. It examines the "influence of activity engagement on cognitive decline prevention and the ability to reverse it". They examine the relationships between two cognitive markers that are constructed as representing perceptual speed and verbal fluency separately. It was found that "someone with Alzheimer’s who is actively engaging in social media can experience gentler decays in cognitive decline performances". It was also discovered in the study that, "verbal fluency is more resistant to cognitive decline than perceptual speed". From this study it has also been found that, "media and leisure activities are the most cognitively demanding activities" ; and it has been possible to assume "complexity may be a key feature distinguishing the relationships between different activities and cognitive performance". This study is "not saying that cognitive decline can be reversed or prevented, more research must be done on that matter".

Raising Awareness through Social Media
Social Media has been used for creating awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s disease. People are able to connect, inform, support and contribute to all those suffering. People have the ability through social media to join the talk on Alzheimer’s by using hashtags. Symplur's website has numerous hashtags relating to ways people from all around the world can connect and learn about this disease. One type of hashtag informs the public about Alzheimer’s information sessions. Another is the Alzheimer’s Europe Conference to promote the seriousness and effects of this disease. As well as an inform consumers about an Alzheimer’s disease summit. There are also live streams, discussions and many more ways to learn and connect through social networking and hashtags for Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s government run website Alzheimer's Association has sections revolving around educational programs for those who now have to become caregivers. As well as types of information and books such as: ‘What’s Happening to Grandpa’ for children who need to understand what’s happening with their loved ones. There are caregiver groups all over Canada and the US to have people who understand the struggle of caregiving. Through websites and social media technologies Alzheimer’s Association and other advocates have been able to raise awareness, create fundraisers and programs. The Alzheimer's Association says "Social Media's influence can also improve awareness to help those who may have the beginning stages". The sooner one knows the better chance to offset it.

Research
“Wireless sensor network (WSN) technologies are considered one of the key research areas in computer science and the healthcare application industries for improving the quality of life”. Technology has been identified by researchers of the study examining interactions between the elderly cognitively abilities and an avatar on TV, "as a tool that can be used to promote independent living". They also claim technology can "improve the safety of people with cognitive impairment and support their quality of life". Technology is a big factor is future of Alzheimer research in the field of digital media. A new form of research at MIT in the strain of Alzheimer’s disease is a take upon the old into the new. MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Laboratory composed a, "digitalized ballpoint pen to capture the drawing of a clock to test patient’s cognitive function". This digitalized pen is able to track the pen’s drawing process to "detect information such as: hesitations, uneven lines, and other important behaviors once unseen". A specific piece of information being a "hooklet – a tiny sharp turn at the end of one stoke that point towards the beginning of the next". Which mean’s the patients are planning ahead – a step never once noticed with a regular pen. These little advancements have the capability to treat Alzheimer progression for the patient to live a more normal life. In the past decade a study has been done evaluating the "process of computer-assisted training (PCTs) and serious gaming to analyze the prevention cognitive declining". The study has been considered, "promising for improving specific processing demands, such as speed". The "serious gaming interventions can improve cognitive function due to Alzheimer’s disease". “'Serious Games' are more than edutainment (education through entertainment) because they extend the aims of media, which trains and informs a larger target" . "Including universities and companies, about social relevant issues" . Even though it can be used to inform people, serious games could also be implemented to re-educate people with cognitive decline. This study has not proven to be fully effective, more studies involving serious computer games must be explored . Technology can provide barriers for the elderly – regardless of their cognitive status. In a study by Orueta, Extxaniz, Gonzalez, Buiza, Urdaneta and Yanguas in 2014,"attempts to clarify how functions like attention and verbal memory can determine the interaction of cognitively impaired elderly people with technology" . In a controlled environment an experiment was conducted by following how people were asked to, "follow commands from an Avatar on TV with a remote control". Results indicate people with "better cognitive function show a significantly better performance in the TV task". Those with Alzheimer’s are affected in memory, concentration and learning these declining parts of the brain along with the lack of IT skills – create a barrier to the many opportunities offered by technology. "ACTION participatory design model [from the same study], defends the possibility that people with impairment are able to enjoy computer training sessions". This study found technological solutions that assist the care of patients with Alzheimer’s at home.

Devices
A study by Darwish and Hassanien in 2011, examines the hardships of those who look over those that have cognitive impairments. To make it easier on the caregivers, technology has invented a new device to monitor those that need to be watched. "Wearable and implantable body sensor network systems [...] which would allow people to be monitored during thier everyday activities The device is a transmitter of a monitoring system that tracks the movements of the person wearing it . Therefore caregivers can let their family members live independently if they wish, without consistently having to watch over them in person . A similar invention of a, "bodily worn device that looked like jewelry with digital storage inside it" . This could be used for those who suffer from Dementia or Alzheimer’s . "This storage device can retrieve the patients: medical records, drug prescriptions, medical history, personal identification and much more" . All can be retrieved through, "computer screens via a wireless interface wand or [...] via the internet with use of a user serial number password" . Caregiver's need not worry about information getting sent from place to place, with this device people who suffer from cognitive impairment can potentially attend appointments independently.