Table 2. Key ideas from Focus Groups 1 and 2.

Focus Group 1 – Framework Feedback	Focus Group 2 – Tool Development
When selecting technology, compassionate healthcare providers should think about what would be most helpful to the person and their care partner(s). Consider: Individual and care partner abilities, needs, and preferences. Ability of technology to be adapted to match longer term needs and abilities. Is the technology user-friendly? Whether technology requires connection to internet. Is a log-in required? Who has access to information? What support/training is needed by the person and their caregivers to use the technology? Provide initial and ongoing training. Initial training may need to be longer and repeated. Training materials should be easy to read and understand. What support is available to use the technology? Are training supports available? What is the need for technology maintenance? Technology is not the answer to everything – people need creative and social things to do as well.	Ideas to inform guidelines for Healthcare Providers (HCP): HCP’s need knowledge of different technologies. Knowledge of technology should be implemented in education of HCPs. Knowledge needs to be constantly updated. Consider individuality of person in need. Is the individual willing to work with technology? Identify and understand the gap/shortcomings which needs to be filled through technology. Leave the freedom for decision-making to the person in need and the care partner. “Don’t make the subject feel stupid.” Consider the dyad (person and care partner). Roles and potential for conflict. Ease of use for both. Privacy is important. Check the person’s level of tolerance with regards to privacy. Who has access to the data (e.g., spouse, children, insurance company)? What kind of data is collected? How adaptable is the technology to both technical and individual changes.
People with cognitive decline and their care partners need someone who is knowledgeable about what technology is available or a resource for this. Healthcare providers may not be able to provide the details of how something works.	Ideas to inform questions for technology users to ask Product labeling should indicate the purpose, requirements, updates, limits of the technology Keep supporting outdated versions Clearly indicate product and associated ongoing costs Provide support for troubleshooting
Patients and caregivers are more concerned with the function and ease of use of technology versus ethics. But healthcare providers and technical support need to consider ethics.	-
Technology use: technology that is considered the “norm” is more likely to be adopted.	-
Compassionate technology developers should keep it simple and intuitive and include users with cognitive decline and care partners in the design process. Make technology conform to users not the other way around.	-