How Does Technology Benefit Individuals with Dementia?

It wasn’t that many years ago that the world of an individual living with dementia felt much smaller. It was one of increasing isolation and disengagement, not only from their precious memories, but from the world around them. Letters and phone calls were often the only connection available with loved ones who lived remotely.

How times have changed. The explosive growth of technology over the last few decades has produced a wide range of innovative applications geared to help individuals to interact and gain control over their environment like never before. And that includes individuals living with dementia.

What are these technologies and how do they help improve the quality of life for individuals with dementia, as well as for their caregivers and their families? Here are some of the many ground-breaking technologies being used today both in home and senior care environments.

Health and safety technologies:

• Medical alert wearables. While these have been around for years, they are becoming more sophisticated in features and functionality. They are trimmed down in size and enable a wider range of interactions when an alert is triggered.
• AI-enabled sensors. Sensors are being used in several ways. They can detect when a room is too hot or too cold and adjust the temperature control. They can also detect motion and turn lights on/off and lock/unlock doors. Many now include voice activation. For instance, when an individual with dementia walks out of their kitchen, a sensor can activate a recorded voice reminding them to turn off water, stove, etc.
• Smart watches and other wearables. Used not only to monitor health vitals but also used for GPS tracking of an individual’s location. This important feature can help locate individuals who may wander and get lost. Some trackers are tiny enough to be inserted into the soles of shoes.
• Fall detectors. These can come in the form of motion detection sensors or video cameras. Often used in senior care settings, fall detector systems are calibrated to track unusual movements that may be leading to a fall, sending an automatic alert to staff. We use both sensors and video fall detectors in our Anthem Memory Care communities. For privacy, the videos are only stored if a fall has been detected.

Communication and engagement technologies:   

• Voice activated virtual assistants. These voice activated speaker/microphone apps (Alexa, Siri, etc.) enable an individual to simply ask for help or information. The system uses AI and natural language technology to interpret a question or instruction and provide feedback or take action.
• Bi-directional communication tools.
  • Smart phones and tablets. Both platforms can be programmed with a variety of apps that enable individuals with dementia to quickly and easily engage in video chats with family members. They are also useful in senior care environments to enable staff and family members to communicate back and forth. At our Anthem Memory Care communities we use a bi-directional smart phone app that helps our staff keep in touch with family members regarding the health and wellbeing of their loved ones.
  • TVs. Either provided as a specialized TV or an add-on application, these enable an individual to communicate with remote loved ones through their TVs, using the screen and audio to connect.
• Activities and entertainment apps. These apps can be loaded on a computer or a large screen TV. The applications include special programs that encourage engagement and participation in games, exercise sessions, and other activities. At our Anthem Memory Care communities, we use these tools on our large screen TVs to augment our exercise classes and involve residents in a variety of special activities.
• Robots. Used for multiple purposes, robots can do everything from retrieving items to managing medications to engaging in conversation.
• Virtual reality. This is an area where technology can help educate the public about the challenges experienced by individuals with dementia. Goggles and headsets are programmed to alter an individual’s perception to mimic that of an individual with dementia. Doing things like folding clothing and picking up objects while becomes extremely difficult to the individual wearing the goggles. This gives them hands-on insight into how simple tasks are impacted by dementia, building greater appreciation of the daily struggles of individuals with dementia.

These technologies will continue to evolve in sophistication. New applications will undoubtedly roll out as well. That’s why it is important for family caregivers to keep up to date on what is available and how each might help them keep their loved one safer and more connected.

While technology brings many benefits, nothing can ever replace the human touch.

At our Anthem Memory Care communities, we use the latest technologies to augment and enhance the daily life experience of our residents and staff. However, we also know where our priorities lie. It is the human element of care which will always carry the greatest value. Likewise, it is important for families to understand that nothing can ever replace their own loving care.

Want to learn more about using technology strategically to help your loved one be safer and more connected? Feel free to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities. We will be happy to share our experiences with technology and resources with you. We’re here to help!