With growing importance of technology and gadgets in our life, it seems appropriate that we look at how technology can play its part in helping us live well with dementia.
Once a diagnosis has been made, steps can be taken to help you live with and manage dementia. There are a wealth of resources, groups and tools to help you and your family. With new technology evolving all the time, we have taken a look at some of the most useful tech tools and apps for dementia, available for use in the early stages of dementia.
Top Tools
All of the below can be accessed by a mobile, tablet or computer.
- MindMate App – Designed to stimulate cognitive abilities and maintain independence. The MindMate app also has a facility where users can cherish their memories called My Life. This section allows the user to build their life story which they can share with family and friends and store information such as their favourite music or preferred food. They can also create to-do lists and reminders to help with everyday tasks or remembering anniversaries.
- Book of You – Interactive book which uses the benefits of reminiscence therapy to create a personal life story of someone living with dementia using words, pictures, music and film to show who the person was and who they are now. Using this tool in the later stages of dementia can help both the person living with dementia and also those caring for them as a way of remembering.
- Talking Point – This is the Alzheimer’s Society online support and discussion forum app which enables people living with dementia to discuss and share thoughts and feelings about their experiences. This can be really good for obtaining advice from others and learning about how to cope with feelings and worries.
- Clevermind – This app contains cognitive training tools such as games and puzzles which help to stimulate the mind and keep the brain active as well as containing some food, nutrition and medical tools. It also serves as easy-to-use access to the internet and social networking with simplified versions of Facebook and other sites.
There are other useful tools available too, from reminder apps to GPS tracking and location maps which can be accessed through phones, tablets or even smart watches. Mindfulness apps can also prove helpful as they act as calming agents and encourage the person to practice deep breathing which can also aid in helping sleep patterns.
You may think that these pieces of technology will not be suitable for the elder generation, but they can also be adapted and used by caregivers to provide a more tailored and person-centred care plan.
Although these tools do not make a dementia diagnosis easy, they can help to manage symptoms and help the person to live as ‘normal’ a life as they did before their diagnosis.
For more information about dementia services at Morris Care, click here.
