Tools for supporting people living with dementia

Living with dementia presents unique challenges, affecting memory, concentration, problem-solving, and daily functioning. However, with the right support, tools, and environments, individuals can maintain their independence and enjoy an enhanced quality of life. This article brings together insights on digital apps, innovative products, home adaptations, and engaging activities designed to empower those living with dementia and their carers.

Digital apps and innovative products

Advancements in technology offer powerful solutions to assist individuals with dementia, from cognitive exercises to safety monitoring.

Digital apps for cognitive support and connection

A multitude of digital apps play a crucial role in helping patients manage symptoms and stay connected:

• Mindmate: This app offers a daily activity plan to help keep a person’s mind and body fit. Built with insights from the “Finger study” (emphasising brain games, healthy nutrition, and physical exercise), its content includes workouts, healthy recipes, and educational videos to delay mental impairment.
• Greymatters: This interactive life storybook app aims to improve quality of life by preserving memories through visual reminiscence. Users or caregivers can upload family photos with brief text and voice narration to aid recognition. It also supports video recordings of special moments, custom audiovisual reminders, and personalised music playlists.
• Flower Garden: A sensory app, Flower Garden encourages socialising and connection through physical activity like gardening. Users water and watch virtual flower saplings grow, accompanied by soothing sounds, creating a relaxing experience.
• Timeless: Designed for easy use, Timeless helps dementia patients remember events and stay connected. It features an updates page with photos of friends and family tagged by facial recognition, helping users refresh their memory. It also allows access to contacts and reminds them of repeated calls.

Source: www.timeless.care

Innovative products for enhanced safety and comfort

Beyond apps, several physical products are designed to make daily life easier and safer:

• Smart Socks by Milbotix: These machine-washable socks sense rising distress, track heart rate, sweat levels, and motion, providing a steady stream of data to carers via an app. This helps prevent the escalation of anxiety and potential aggressive behaviour.
• Automated medicine dispenser: As memory loss progresses, medication adherence can become a challenge. Electronic dispensers release specified medication at the correct time, with some offering visual and audio alerts.
• Motion sensor lights: Helpful for those who get up at night, these lights turn on when movement is detected, preventing walking in darkness without disrupting sleep by staying on all night.
• GPS smart watches: Given that people with dementia can have a tendency to wander, these watches allow family members or carers to track their loved ones’ location via an app. They can also create ‘safe zones’ and alert carers if the individual leaves a defined area.
• HUG by Laugh: An interactive, sensory product designed for comfort, HUG can be cuddled. It has weighted limbs, a soft body, simulates a beating heart, and includes a programmable music player. It’s proven to improve quality of life, reduce agitation and anxiety, and enhance social interaction.

Source: alzheimers.org.uk

Creating a dementia-friendly home environment

The design and layout of a home significantly impact the independence and quality of life for someone with dementia. Making the home easy to manage is key:

• Prioritise good lighting: Ensure natural light enters the house and that artificial lighting is clear. Bedrooms should be dark enough at night for better sleep.
• Safe flooring: Remove trip hazards like loose carpets or mats. Plain, matte flooring is best; avoid shiny surfaces or colours similar to walls, which can cause confusion.
• Easier eating and drinking: Use plates, cups, and tablecloths with colours that contrast with food. Clear plastic or glass containers can help identify contents. Provide crockery and cutlery that is easy to hold and handle.
• Visible furniture: Use bright and contrasting colours for furniture to help with visibility. Avoid stripes and strong patterns that can be confusing.
• Label and organise: Put pictures or signs on cupboards and drawers to indicate contents. Keep frequently used items (keys, wallet, phone) in consistent, designated spots. A large-faced clock and a calendar can help track the day and time, and a whiteboard for reminders can also be helpful.
• Simple bathroom design: Label the toilet or bathroom door with pictures and words. Consider removing the toilet lid for easier identification. Towels and toilet rolls that contrast with walls are also beneficial. Clear away items not used regularly.
• Clutter-free environment: Untidiness can lead to confusion and distraction. Get rid of excess clutter and keep cupboards and drawers tidy. Turn off TVs or radios when not in use to reduce distracting noise.
• Safety equipment: Install grab rails to prevent falls. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are essential. Sensors can also alert carers if, for example, water is left running or temperatures are extreme.

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Engaging activities and sensory support

Keeping individuals with dementia engaged and stimulated is vital for their well-being and can help with memory, concentration, and mood.

• Music therapy (Playlist for Life): This charity harnesses the power of personal music to stimulate multiple parts of the brain, even if some areas are damaged. Personal playlists (from childhood lullabies to favourite TV themes) can reduce anxiety and depression, support cognition, speech, and memory, and even reduce the need for antipsychotic drugs and hospital stays. Sharing songs fosters connection with family, friends, and carers.
• Creative activities: Art therapy and creative activities like colouring, drawing, painting, jigsaws, and papercrafts can keep people engaged, happy, and help with self-expression, memory loss, or concentration difficulties. For those with advanced dementia, knitting and sewing might be trickier, so safety must be checked.
• Memory cafes: These offer a social setting for creative activities, quizzes, massage therapy, and refreshments, providing a supportive environment for individuals with dementia and their carers.
• Caring for pets and plants: Engaging with pets (even “fake” ones for sensory comfort) and plants can provide comfort, routine, and sensory stimulation. This includes tasks like feeding pets, watering plants, gardening, or walking a dog.

Everyday living support

Simple yet impactful strategies can significantly improve daily life:

• Help with daily tasks: Involving individuals in tasks like shopping, unpacking groceries, preparing meals (using easy-to-hold crockery/cutlery), and reminding them to drink water helps maintain independence.
• Sleep management: Establishing a consistent bedtime routine, ensuring the bedroom is comfortable (with blackout blinds or night lights), and avoiding caffeine and alcohol in the evenings can help reduce sleep disturbance and disorientation.
• Effective communication: Making time, speaking clearly, sitting close, being conversational, and offering simple choices can greatly improve interactions. Patience is key, avoiding talking to them like a child.

How Cavendish Homecare can help

At Cavendish Homecare, we are experts in providing compassionate and comprehensive dementia homecare for clients who wish to remain in their own homes. We understand the emotional, social, and psychological impact of a dementia diagnosis on both the individual and their family. Our team of experienced homecare managers, registered nurses, and carers provides practical and emotional support, ensuring a personalised care plan tailored to unique needs.

For more information on our homecare services and how we can support you or your loved ones, please do not hesitate to contact us on 02030085210 or email us at info@cavendishhomecare.com.

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