How Telemedicine Supports People Living With Dementia: A Review of Existing Evidence

What is it about?

Dementia affects millions of people worldwide, and caring for those living with the condition can be challenging for families, caregivers, and health systems. Telemedicine and telehealth — tools such as video consultations, remote monitoring, and digital support platforms — are increasingly used to deliver care at a distance. But with so many studies and reviews published on this topic, it can be difficult to understand what we actually know. In this project, we brought together and analyzed findings from many existing reviews on telemedicine and telehealth in dementia care. We looked at how these technologies are being used, what benefits they offer, and where the evidence is still unclear. Our mixed‑methods approach allowed us to combine quantitative results with insights from qualitative research. Overall, we found that telemedicine can improve access to care, support caregivers, and help manage symptoms — but the quality of evidence varies widely. Many studies are small, use different methods, or focus on specific settings, making it hard to compare results. We also identified gaps, such as limited research in low‑ and middle‑income countries and a lack of long‑term evaluations. This overview helps clarify what is known, what remains uncertain, and where future research should focus to ensure digital health tools truly support people living with dementia and those who care for them.

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Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This work is timely because telemedicine has rapidly expanded in recent years, especially following the COVID‑19 pandemic. Policymakers, clinicians, and families are increasingly turning to digital solutions, yet the evidence base is scattered across many separate reviews. By synthesizing this information into a single place, our study provides a clearer picture of how telehealth is used in dementia care and what its real-world impact may be. What makes this work unique is its comprehensive scope and mixed‑methods design. Instead of focusing on a single type of intervention or outcome, we examined the full landscape of telemedicine approaches and combined numerical findings with qualitative insights. This allows for a more nuanced understanding of both the opportunities and limitations of digital care. Our findings can guide researchers toward the most urgent evidence gaps, help clinicians and caregivers make informed decisions, and support policymakers in designing digital health strategies that are equitable, effective, and person‑centered.

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