Advanced Technology Suggestions
Mobile Phones - if you are familiar with mobile phones they can assist with orientation to the time and day along with finding the way. Features do vary with each model. However, they generally have the capacity to provide regular alerts which display the date and time on the screen. More expensive models can provide internet based maps, GPS navigation for finding locations, real time tracing, calendars with reminder, automatic one button dialling, recording and playback capacity. Many phones now have the capacity to transfer calendar appointments such as Microsoft Outlook Express Calendar from the computer to the mobile phone. When parking the car at a shopping centre, the recording capacity on the mobile can be used to record the location which can then be played back when the person is ready to leave.
Computer - if a person regularly uses a computer, the operating system may have the capacity to turn the computer on at a set time each day and off again in the evening. Reminders or alarms can be set to go off at regular intervals and if the computer has speech capacity this may mean the time and date can be spoken periodically during the day. The background or desktop can be set with the day and date which will update each day. Talk to staff at your local computer store.
Automated Home Systems – lighting can be programmed to come on automatically once a sensor has been activated by movement nearby. The sensors and lights can be working in any areas of the home and can assist the person with dementia in finding their way to the toilet or around their home. The system can be programmed to turn off after a set time based on personal requirements such as night time routine. This system also has capacity for manual override, and the light levels can be set to switch on at low levels (30%) then gradually increase to a brighter level.