What role can technology play for those living with dementia?

Eibhlis Cahalane, Project Lead, HSE Memory Technology Resource Rooms
- Remembering days, dates and times
- Finding things frequently lost
- Taking medication on time
- Keeping in touch with family and friends
- Prompting a person if the gas has been left on or a tap left running
- Raising an alarm if in trouble
- Letting family know where a
person is if they become lost or disorientated

Among the items you can expect to see in a Memory Technology Resource Room are:
- Push-button reminders with voice recordings to prompt a person to do something, e.g. turn off the cooker
- TV remote controls and one-button radios that are accessible and easy-to-use
- Picture phones with photos of family members on the handset so that a person can make a call by pressing a picture
- Automatic pill dispensers which sound an alarm when it is time to take medication
- Speaking clocks and calendars to orientate a person in time
- Wall planners and whiteboards to provide a reminder of appointments
- Item finders that can track down commonly mislaid items such as keys, handbag, wallet, mobile phone, TV remote control, etc.
- Motion sensors that monitor a person’s movements during the day or night
- Mobile phones with in-built trackers that provide reassurance a person is safe if they are going for a walk or attending an appointment
The Dementia: Understand Together campaign is led by the HSE in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Age Friendly Ireland. For information on assistive technologies, as well as information on how to become a dementia champion in your community, visit www.understandtogether.ie. Alternatively, Freefone the helpline provided by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland on 1800 341 341 (Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm).
See tomorrow for more