Dementia Technological Aid – Smart Devices For People Living With Dementia
Table of Contents
Living with dementia doesn’t necessarily need to make you dependent, but live smart.
Dementia, a condition that affects older adults’ reasoning ability and cognitive function,s often making them forgetful and sometimes clums,y has unconsciously created a notion that that they have to be dependent on others through their daily activities.
Although dementia patients need to be cared for, there are still certain smart devices that can help them out in their daily activities. These smart devices are designed to help people with dementia complete their daily tasks with little or no assistance from family.
There are various ways in which assistive technology can help a person with dementia get the most out of life.
These assistive technological devices for dementia can help improve safety and independence but can also help with monitoring health and well-being. Specifically, assistive technology can help with:
- Memory challenges
- Support to plan certain tasks of everyday life
- Mobility and movement
- Remaining safe both in and out of the home
- Communication (speech and hearing)
- Socialisation
- Improving self-confidence and independence
Smart Devices For Dementia Patients
There are a lot of assistive smart devices of different types for those living with dementia, and we will look into some of these types. Different types of dementia assistive technology include the following:
- Mobile Smartphone
- GPS Tracking device
- Smart devices
- Cameras in the home
- Electronic medications management
Let’s get into them.
1. Mobile Smartphones
Mobile smartphone technology is increasingly being used by older people to manage their life and keep them connected to their loved ones. They allow you to make calls, send text messages, and use email and apps. There are several ways they can be used as communication tools for dementia and help a person maintain independence:
- Most mobile smartphones display a time and date, or the calendar function can be used
- Alarms can be set on the phone to remind you to undertake a task at a certain time in the day
- You can use it to access other assistive technology for dementia, such as in-home cameras, thermostats to set the heating at home, and multimedia services such as television programme scheduling.
- They can help your loved one keep track of hospital or GP appointments in the calendar function so they are reminded in good time. Most organisations now use text reminders to notify patients of appointments on mobile.
- Online shopping can be done on mobile smartphones, and websites they visit regularly can be saved in a ‘favourites’ file.
- They can be used as safety devices for dementia patients,, ensuring they can always contact someone in an emergency or need your support.
2. GPS Tracking Devices
The safety of those living there is important, and this is why they need GPS tracking devices. Tracking devices are the perfect safety devices for dementia patients who may, at times, wander.
The person with dementia wears the tracking device, and the alert system will raise an alarm to a family member if they have moved out of a particular area, for example, they have left the house.
They give family members much-needed peace of mind that their loved one is safe.
3. Smart Devices
A smart home is one of the best living conditions for those with dementia. Smart devices like Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple HomePod can support a person with dementia who is experiencing memory problems.
These voice-activated devices can set reminders to notify your loved one when to complete certain tasks, such as taking medication.
4. Cameras In The Home
Installing cameras in your loved one’s home is another great way to ensure their safety while reassuring you. Many devices can then be linked to an app on your smartphone so you can see exactly how your loved one is wherever you are.
5. Electronic Medications Management
As simple as medication reminders seem that can pose a challenge for most people living with dementia, making it necessary to have a digital pill dispenser.
A large range of digital pill dispensers and boxes is on the market. They provide an alert to remind those living with dementia or the family carer that it is time to take medication. Some dispensers can be linked to a vibrating alarm on a watch.
This technology means that medications can be managed safely and effectively for dementia patients.
