Game Changers: New Technology for Dementia Patients

Today, technology is being leveraged for all kinds of needs - including helping people who have been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Dementia can make remembering things difficult, but luckily, innovative tools are available to empower those with the disease more confidence and independence.

If you're one of the 16 million Americans who provide more than 17 billion hours of unpaid care for family and friends with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, then get ready to learn about some game changers for your caregiving routine. These tech-driven tools will help you and your loved ones manage everyday tasks, whether you're navigating the early stages, middle stages or even more advanced stages of dementia.

As research on dementia progresses, so too does technology 

Thanks to the continued research of various types of dementia and the ever-changing landscape of technology, there are many assistive devices and technology for people living with dementia and their caregivers. 

We’ve researched the best assistive technologies to make daily life easier for caregivers and people living with dementia.

Video monitors 

In-home video monitoring is a great way to keep a watch on your loved one with dementia to ensure they’re safe. Remote monitoring can be set up inside or even outside the home as needed. 

Certain monitors may also support two-way talking capability, enabling you to communicate with them even when you’re away from home. For example, if there is inclement weather and you notice your loved one preparing to go outside, you may want to voice a gentle reminder that it would be best to stay inside until the weather passes - allowing caretakers to monitor remotely.

Depending on functionality, the number of cameras needed, and whether you go with wireless or wired cameras, costs can range from $30, like this single indoor Wyze camera to several hundred dollars.

Location tracking devices 

As dementia progresses, it is common for dementia patients to wander and become lost. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, six in 10 people with dementia will wander and become lost or confused about their location at least once. If this happens, a tracking device can help you quickly locate them.

GPS locator devices range from inexpensive GPS sensors that can be added to vehicles or personal belongings to watches like Tranquil’s GPS Watch. Both can help alert caregivers to their loved one's location during a wandering event.

Medical alert systems

There is a wide range of medical alert devices and systems, ranging from basic fall detection and emergency response to GPS tracking to two-way calling, video monitoring, and more. The National Council on Aging lists Medical Guardian, ADT Health, Bay Alarm Medical, LifeFone, and UnaliWear as the best medical alert systems with fall detection. 

Home energy monitors

You can plug an energy monitor into an outlet in the patient’s home and monitor if something, like a stove burner, has been left on. One example of this capability is the Sense energy monitor, which empowers monitoring solutions from a mobile device, like your phone or tablet.

This technology also allows you to monitor and detect the status of other household systems, such as a broken HVAC system, which could be dangerous to someone with dementia as they may be unaware their air conditioning isn’t working.

Smart locks

Smart locks are high-tech security devices designed to ensure safety for dementia patients. They replace regular door locks and allow caregivers to control access remotely. Features often include automatic locking schedules and the ability to share virtual keys with family members. Importantly, for dementia patients prone to wandering, these locks can prevent unsupervised exits, enhancing their safety and giving peace of mind to caregivers.Assistive technology for cognition & memory

Automated reminders

Automated reminder technology like Reminder Rosie allows you to set up important reminders for your loved one with dementia. Reminder Rosie, in particular, offers clocks specifically designed for dementia patients, with the bonus of being able to schedule up to 25 reminders or messages. 

Automated reminder solutions allow you to schedule important reminders, like a message to remind your loved one to take necessary medication. Or, you may include some comforting messages for certain times of the day, like bedtime. 

Medication reminders 

Medication that helps people with dementia manage their symptoms is crucial to their day. But memory loss can sometimes make taking medication in the proper amounts at the right time quite challenging. 

Medication reminders range from full dispensing solutions like Hero Health, to pill organizers with reminders like The Original Monthly Medication Organizer and Reminder Clock by MedCenter, to mobile phone apps like MediSafe that send notifications as reminders. 

Automated pill dispensers

Automatic pill dispensers are innovative devices designed to simplify medication management for people with dementia. These digital helpers can be preloaded with several doses of medication, dispensing the correct dosage at set times. Alarms or reminders often accompany the dispensing, drawing the user's attention. This technology helps prevent missed or double doses, vulnerabilities particularly critical for dementia patients, and alleviates stress from caregivers or family members concerned about proper medication adherence.

Hero Health offers a subscription model that includes pill dispenser, medication management app, and 24/7 customer service support.

Communication apps

Communication aids that help a person with dementia communicate without speaking may be a great asset if they have aphasia and have difficulty speaking. Apps like iCommunicate, Talking Mats, and Wemogee use pictures, emojis, flashcards, and storyboards to help a person communicate.

Voice assistants 

Assistive communication devices like the Amazon Echo Show can be vastly helpful to someone with dementia. It can be programmed to handle two-way video calls with no prompting necessary. For example, if programmed this way, you can video call your loved one, and it will instantly connect them, eliminating the need for remembering what buttons to push or commands to prompt. The Echo Show also responds to voice commands using Alexa. 

Voice assistants, like the Echo Show, do so much more than assist with communication. They can be programmed to voice reminders, play music, browse photos, check forecasts, listen to books and much more. 

Memory phones

Remembering phone numbers and even how to dial them can be a difficult task for someone living with memory loss. If age-related vision and hearing loss are also present, telephone usage is even more challenging. Memory phones seek to remedy these issues. 

Depending on your loved one's needs, there are even picture phones where they can dial someone based on a picture rather than a phone number. Most of these devices also have extra large keypads to make dialing easier. The Alzheimer’s Store offers a variety of different memory phones.

Home design apps 

Iridis, called a dementia design audit tool, helps caregivers set up home environments efficiently and effectively for loved ones with dementia. This app helps promote better safety, comfort, convenience, and quality of life. 

Caregiving apps 

Care management apps are useful for caregivers to track things like appointments, medications, and schedules and are especially useful if there is more than one caregiver. When one caregiving shift ends, the next caregiver can look at the app to determine what has been done, what still needs to be done, and any important notes the other caregiver wants to share. 

Some popular caregiving apps for dementia care are Carely, Caring Village, Dementia Talk, and Medisafe.

Game and activity apps

Apps are often excellent tools for dementia patients for entertainment and to help retain cognitive abilities and memories. 

MindMate is a popular app that includes various workouts for the body and mind, like stretching routines and puzzles. Caregivers and other loved ones can use the app, too, to interact, add in memories and more. Lumosity is designed to challenge cognitive function through games. Other apps, like Flower Garden, My Reef 3D, and Let’s Create! Pottery are creative games that allow the dementia patient to interact and take part in things they enjoy. 

Robots for companionship

Robotic pets, like Joy for All’s Companion Pets are designed to bring comfort and companionship to seniors living with dementia. These life-like dogs, cats and even birds make authentic sounds and respond to motion and touch. 

As technology advances, don’t be surprised if you see socially-assistive robots available for U.S. consumers that assist with at-home memory care and provide companionship for loved ones with dementia.  

As a caregiver, anything that improves your loved one's safety and quality of life and helps you to provide better support for them is a worthy consideration. Assistive technology and devices for dementia patients do exactly that. Most technologies we’ve covered here are either free or reasonably priced, and support the challenges of everyday life that dementia patients tend to have. Be sure to check with your loved one's health insurance provider to see if any assistive devices or technologies are covered by their health insurance plan. 

Here are some of the main benefits of assistive technology for dementia:

• Easier Monitoring: Assistive technology like trackers and sensors can provide caregivers real-time updates on the patient's location and activity, helping to prevent wandering incidents.
• Improved Medication Management: Automated medication reminders can ensure timely and accurate dosage, reducing caregiver stress and potential health risks to the patient.
• Enhanced Communication: Using simplified tablets and smartphones, patients can easily stay in touch with caregivers, reducing isolation and allowing for regular check-ins.
• Improved Memory Support: Assistive tech tools offer digital calendars and reminders to help patients remember appointments, thus reducing the caregiver's burden of constant reminders.
• Night-time Safety: Innovative solutions like motion-sensor lights and bed alarms can alert caregivers when the person with dementia is moving around at night, ensuring patient safety and offering caregivers peace of mind.
• Personalized Entertainment: Technology that offers customized music and recreational activities tailored to the individual can keep the patient engaged, providing respite for the caregiver.
• Rapid Response: Advanced wearable technology can quickly detect falls or health anomalies, automatically alerting caregivers and emergency services to provide immediate assistance.

From assisting in vital daily tasks and safety measures to enhancing communication, a range of gadgets and digital tools are playing pivotal roles. We've unpacked some of the most effective and user-friendly technologies, highlighting how they make routine tasks simpler for dementia patients and provide invaluable support to caregivers.