About Assistive Technology and Dementia
Dementia is a word used to describe a group of symptoms that usually involve the progressive decline of a person’s thinking, behaviour and physical functioning. These symptoms include memory loss, disorientation, impaired planning and judgement (therefore autonomy and safety risks) attention, perception, language and changed behaviours. These symptoms can make it difficult for people with dementia to feel familiar in, make sense of and function in even their long term home environment, whether living alone or with a carer.
Most people with dementia would prefer to remain living at home. As dementia progresses, difficulties can arise with independence, safety, security and quality of life.
In the same way that a ramp and a wheelchair may support and enable the independence and safety of a person with mobility needs, modifying the environment and using assistive technology may support the cognitive and practical needs of a person living with dementia.
Assistive technology is a broad term used to describe any item or object which enables a person with a disability to perform a task that they would otherwise be unable to do. The types of assistive technology available and how they can be used to support someone living with dementia vary greatly. There are “low tech” and simple stand alone items such as a calendar clock which can help with orienting someone to the time of the day, the day of the week, the month and year. There is also more advanced technology such as automated home systems that manage lighting, temperature and safety features in the home.
Telecare is a type of assistive technology that is used to provide support from a distance. This support is usually from a call centre and can be used to monitor the person’s health status for falls, existing conditions or check whether household appliances have been left on. If difficulty is detected, a call is automatically placed to the call centre who will then notify the nominated carer.
While assistive technology will never be the sole answer to maximizing quality of life for people with dementia, it can play an important support role and may delay or prevent a person from moving from home if they so choose.
How Can Assistive Technology Help?
One of the benefits of using assistive technology is that it can provide an opportunity for a person with dementia to increase their self-reliance and independence. This can then lead to improved confidence and self esteem.
By reducing the amount of assistance needed by a person with dementia it can mean ‘peace of mind’ for the carer and has the potential to free up some of their time.
Some of the areas where assistive technology may help include sleep disturbances, safe use of domestic appliances, managing medication, orienting to the time, day of the week, month or year, finding the way or wandering, summoning help in an emergency and locating misplaced items.
Who Can Be Involved?
Many of the stand alone / simple products and modifications to the environment can be set up without professional help. Some types of assistive technology and home modifications, such as the installation of grab rails can require the involvement of a health professional, such as an occupational therapist, to advise on whether the technology will be suitable or not. Community allied health team members can also assist with providing information and suggestions about how assistive technology may benefit the person living with dementia. Qualified persons such as electricians, plumbers, gas fitters, information technology specialists and builders may also be required for installation of the technology depending on what types of assistive technology are to be used in the home.
Keeping It Simple
Some of the symptoms of dementia can mean people find even their own long term home environment unfamiliar, unsettling and difficult to make sense of and function in. The need for familiarity is important, so it is vital to only change what needs changing.