Aids To Help Empower Independence: How Assistive Technology Supports People Living with Dementia
Imagine waking up in a familiar home but struggling to remember why you set an alarm or where you placed your keys. For many people living with dementia, this is a daily reality—one that can create frustration, anxiety, and dependence on others. Dementia care solutions, particularly assistive technology for dementia, act as a guiding light, much like a well-worn routine that provides stability and predictability.
By integrating aids that help structure the day, individuals can receive routine support, ensuring tasks are completed smoothly and successfully. These aids to help predictively support success during the day reduces stress and enhances confidence in daily living, restoring a sense of control and dignity.
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How Does Technology For Dementia Care and Wellbeing Help
Living with dementia can significantly impact an individual’s ability to manage daily life. Dementia care solutions, particularly assistive technology for dementia, are designed to support people living with dementia in maintaining their independence. For individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early-stage dementia, technology can help by offering tools that improve memory recall, executive function, safety, and social engagement.
These innovations enhance the quality of life for both individuals and carers. This article explores evidence-base of technologies to support better living with dementia, the applications of these, and practical considerations for implementation.
🔹 Need help navigating assistive technology? Our Occupational Therapists can guide you in selecting the best dementia-friendly aid to support your daily life.
Understanding the Needs of Individuals with Early-Stage Dementia
Adults in the early stages of dementia experience cognitive challenges that can disrupt daily life. The key domains requiring support include:
Memory Changes: Difficulty remembering appointments, names, or locations are common examples of the memory problems that people affected by dementia can experience
Executive Functioning: Struggles with planning, organisation, and problem-solving.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Challenges in managing medication, finances, and household tasks.
Safety and Mobility: Increased risk of falls, wandering, or household accidents.
Social Interaction: Reduced engagement due to memory or communication difficulties.
Evidence-Based Assistive Technologies for Dementia Care
Recent research on assistive technology for dementia has demonstrated promising developments in supporting people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early-stage dementia. Studies have highlighted the effectiveness of digital tablets, reminder systems, and wearable devices in aiding memory function and daily activities (Hubner et al., 2020; Holthe et al., 2022). These technologies provide crucial prompting and reminding features, monitor safety through environmental and biosensors, and support independent living by mitigating risks outdoors (Holthe et al., 2022).
While AT holds great potential in dementia care, challenges remain in proving its long-term efficacy, particularly in memory support (van der Roest et al., 2017). Future advancements must address concerns regarding legal and ethical considerations, including data privacy and healthcare ethics, to enhance user adoption (Lee-Cheong et al., 2022). Additionally, ongoing studies are needed to evaluate its impact on occupational performance, quality of life, and human dignity to ensure successful integration into daily routines (Holthe et al., 2022).
Whilst there is no doubt much to still learn, for people at the early stages of memory changes, there are aids that are likely to help. This is where having a skilled Occupational Therapist can help you navigate what is likely the best fit dementia-friendly aid to meet your goals, ensuring that technology solutions are tailored to your unique needs and circumstances.
💡 Explore Your Options: Finding the Right Technology If you or a loved one is considering assistive technology, our expert team can help match the best solutions to your needs. Contact Occupational Therapy Brisbane today to explore what’s right for you.
Types of Assistive Devices: What Assistive Technology Can Help People with Dementia and Carers
Using the right technology may help people living with dementia remain independent for longer. Different forms of technology provide support in key areas, improving daily life skills, routines,safety and wellbeing. Assistive technology ranges from:
1. Memory Aids
Smartphone and Tablet Apps: Digital calendars, medication reminders, and note-taking apps (e.g., Google Keep, Pillboxie).
Voice-Activated Assistants: Alexa, Google Home, and Siri can set reminders and answer questions to support daily memory needs.
Electronic Whiteboards and Reminder Clocks: Large display screens that provide daily schedules, orientation cues, and medication alerts – the problem we see though is that that the poor ol calendar gets loaded up with every reminder and at some point is too overwhelming to use
Wearable Prompting Devices: Smartwatches with alarms and notifications for appointments and tasks.
Task Simplification Tools: Devices like universal remote controls or one-touch kitchen appliances reduce cognitive load.
Automated Financial Tools: Apps that manage payments, bills, and banking with minimal user input.
3. Safety Devices and Risk Management Solutions
Home Monitoring Systems: Environmental sensors that detect smoke, gas leaks, or movement patterns.
GPS Tracking Wearables: Devices that help locate individuals who may wander (e.g., AngelSense, GPS Smart Sole).
Personal Alarms and Fall Detection Devices: Smartwatches and emergency alert systems notify caregivers in case of falls.
Medication management: it doesn’t always mean that people require technical solutions. One strategy that has worked for one of our clients was placing his dosette box in front of his kettle. You see, he made a cup of tea religiously each morning and having his medication in front of the kettle meant that he consistently took his medication. In this situation, task (tea making) and frequency (daily) and stability of routine (very stable) meant that the success of medication management was greatly increased.
4. Social Engagement and Communication Aids
Simplified Communication Apps: Easy-to-use video calling platforms like GrandPad or Skype for Seniors.
Companion Robots: Interactive devices such as Paro, a robotic seal, providing emotional support and engagement.
Digital Photo Frames with Voice Notes: Tools that display familiar images and play recorded messages from loved ones.
Non tech: Companion Lead In Statements: These are like canned responses- the care giver has them in their. ” back pocket or tip of tongue” that helps cue the person with dementia to launch into a familiar subject or theme. ” Hi Mary, this is John, John was just telling me about Bruce his black Poodle that he’s had for 6 years. ….. ” This content and context cue can help start a rich connection with others.
Community Engagement Options: While technology plays a role, not all solutions are accessible to everyone. Encouraging participation in dementia-friendly activities, local support groups, and non-digital social programs is equally vital in maintaining well-being and connection.
5. Monitoring and Health Tracking
Wearable Health Trackers: Devices like Fitbit monitor heart rate, activity levels, and sleep patterns.
Smart Medication Dispensers: Automated pill dispensers that ensure correct dosages at scheduled times.
Activity Sensors: Home-based sensors that monitor movement and alert caregivers of inactivity.
📌 Choosing the Right Assistive Technology Matters!
Not all technology is created equal. The right support can make a world of difference. Book a consultation with an Occupational Therapist to discover what will work best for your situation.
Ease of Use: Devices should be intuitive to encourage independence at home.
Privacy and Security: Protecting user data and ensuring safe device connectivity.
Carer Involvement: Support for carers in setting up and maintaining devices.
Customisation: Adaptability to a person’s needs as dementia progresses.
Ethical Use and Application:AT should be designed and implemented with user consent, ensuring that people living with dementia maintain control over their own care. Ethical considerations include dignity, autonomy, and the respectful integration of technology into their daily lives.
The Future of Assistive Technology in Dementia Care
Assistive technology and dementia research continues to evolve, offering high-tech solutions for care at home and residential care. These technologies play a significant role in helping a person with dementia remain independent and safe around the home. Dementia and their carers can benefit from personalised AT solutions designed to improve quality of life and reduce the risk of accidents. By adopting equipment to help with cognitive and physical needs, older people with dementia can continue to live fulfilling lives, supported by reliable technology solutions.
Dementia Care and Assistive Technology: Support from Occupational Therapy Brisbane
Struggling to navigate assistive technology for dementia? Our Occupational Therapists can help. Contact us today on 1300 783 200 for a personalised consultation and discover the best solutions for you or your loved one. Your therapists can provide tailored recommendations and training to ensure you can confidently use the right aid that helps enhance your everyday life. Contact us today at 1300 783 200 or use the form below to reach out!
Holthe, T., Halvorsrud, L., & Lund, A. (2022). Digital Assistive Technology to Support Everyday Living in Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 17, 519 – 544.
