Technology may not have been able to provide a cure for people living with dementia. However, there have been some inventions to help people living with this ailment. On many occasions, caregivers and loved ones won't be around to offer the necessary assistance that these individuals need. So, these tools assist dementia patients even in the absence of human interference.
Moreover, we also recommend that you do some research to learn more about Alzheimer’s resource available for your loved ones. Furthermore, take the time to learn about dementia and how to cope with people living with them.
5 technologies to help people living with dementia
1. Position tracking aids
Dementia is an ailment that causes a person's memory to deteriorate badly. As a result, some people suffering from dementia-related ailments may find it hard to remember previously familiar locations and routes – even in their homes. So, it is common for some adults living with dementia to wander.
To avoid the troubles and worries that this might cause, GPS trackers can help caregivers easily tell where the patient is at any given time. Some popular names in the GPS tracker industry for dementia patients are SPOT, Spy Tec, iTraq, and Trackimo. Some trackers come as bracelets and are worn by the patient, while some can be placed in the patient's shoes.
2. Time-tracking aids
One of the symptoms common with people living with dementia is that they easily lose track of day and night. This can be frustrating for caregivers, especially if they have appointments or try to create a routine. To help curb this, there are easy-to-read clocks specially designed for people living with dementia.
These clocks are usual calendar clocks that display the time of the day, day of the week, and date. Furthermore, these digital clocks also tell if it's morning, evening, or noon. They're user-friendly and are much easier to read than conventional clocks.
3. Communication assisting technologies
The memory loss symptoms of dementia can make an affected individual easily confused. This symptom, in most cases, makes it impossible for the patient to hold a chain of thoughts or conversation for long. Dementia patients can now use tablet computers and social robots to help them communicate better.
The tablets come with apps built specially to help improve the quality of conversations dementia patients are capable of. Some of the apps that have been noted to have impressive results in this application are Inspire and Memory Keeper. Many of the technologies used in this aspect are focused on reminiscence activities.
4. Domestic robots
Many accidents with dementia patients have been associated with absence or negligence on the caregiver's part. Domestic robots have now been available to aid dementia patients when their caregivers or relatives are not readily available. Moreover, the robots are designed with the sole aim of assisting the caregiver and not replacing them.
Therapeutic robots can be used in either institutions or at home. One of such robots is created as a tender baby harp seal. The robot is engineered with inbuilt sensors to perceive the surroundings and physically interact with the patient. It interacts in different ways, such as vibrations, visuals, or auditory feedback.
5. Memory photo phones
Memory photo phones are phones specially designed for people with memory disorders. This technology comes into play when the patient involved has difficulties remembering phone numbers. The phones come with many buttons and can be programmed to call frequently-dialed contacts.
Also, some of these phones are equipped with clear buttons, which you can customize by placing pictures on them. This allows you to automatically call the person whose picture is on the button by pressing the button once.
Conclusion
Many symptoms have been associated with dementia, and all require different approaches to combat them. Luckily, we have the technology to thank for some solutions. You can use GPS trackers designed in the form of bracelets to know your loved one's whereabouts. This is mainly for dementia patients who are more prone to wandering.
Also, you can now use computer tablets to aid smooth conversions with people suffering from dementia. Other aids such as domestic robots, memory photo phones, and special clocks can help your loved one living with dementia improve their life quality. Most importantly, these technologies shouldn't replace human assistance; try as much as you can to spend time with them.
