How To Choose The Right Dementia Care Technology For Your Situation
Having clarity about a dementia care technology’s potential to assist a person living with dementia is an issue that many carers and team managers are desperately trying to resolve. So before you put your hands in your pocket consider these features and functions.
To help you out we’ve compiled a list of features, functions and considerations. It’s a framework to help guide your decision making so that in the end you’re clear about the pros and cons of your investment.
Start With The User In Mind
Firstly what is the goal you’re trying to achieve? Does the tool meet this goal? If not it’s probably not a good fit for you and your situation.
Other Aspects To Consider
Personalise: Can the aid be personalised to be connected with the user
Accessible: Is it freely accessible in the environment for self use
Ease Of Use / Intuitive Use: Is it easily navigated, easy to use
Familiar Design / Form: This is distinct to the ease of use. More so, it’s about the physical shape and form of the object. Is it familiar in shape. For example, you’re considering new cutlery which can tell you how much and how often a person is eating. If the tool doesn’t look like a spoon, a familiar spoon, how successful is it to be used? likely not very much.
Challenge and Grading Options: Can the tool be adapted over time. This is important not only in a challenge but also to match where the person is at. The ‘where are they at’ test. Dementia is a neurodegenerative disease and so there will be a decline in performance over time. Knowing how far the tool can be adjusted will help meet the person’s needs as they change. Where Are They At Test: Asks whether the aid is designed for the person’s current abilities? What are the abilities which remain? What are a person’s strengths?
Device management by User and Carer: How much can a person use the device, and to what level?
Are you considering an investment in technology for you or your client living with Dementia?
Perhaps you’ve seen a new technology tool with promising features to help a person living with dementia engage in everyday tasks and are thinking about buying it.
Having clarity about a technology’s potential to assist a person living with dementia is an issue that many carers and team managers are desperately trying to resolve.
So before you put your hands in your pocket we’ve a free framework to help guide your assessment and decision. You can download it today.
Dementia and Technology with Occupational Therapy Brisbane
Are interested in understanding what care, therapy and technology solutions are available?
At Occupational Therapy Brisbane we can arrange for a registered experienced occupational therapist to visit your home, assess the needs of yourself and the person with dementia, and create a plan.
We ensure that families have the knowledge, tools, and technology necessary to make their lives and the life of their loved one as comfortable and fulfilling as possible.
To speak with one of our senior therapists for free, we invite you to call 1300 783 200.
