Technology in dementia care is something of real interest to me, but what really are the benefits of this?
As many people know we are proud to work with a local company called ‘interactive me’ which uses technology for reminiscence therapy and has great results but Is this more to do with the content and the way its delivered rather than technology itself? The only way to compare this would be with a photo album, Can a photo album zoom in and out for visual impairment or just a closer look?
Can a photo album stream videos and does it have speakers for a persons favourite music?
(What would your brain retain? – Reminiscence therapy – Interactive me blog)
I think the benefits of using technology in this way are easy to see…..
Back in November 2016 we attended the UK Dementia Congress in Brighton and one of the many seminars being held was about technology use in dementia care. During this seminar I discovered a website/company made up of university students who research and develop applications (app’s) suitable for people living with dementia.
There is a tough criteria all apps must go through via AcTodementia with regards to visibility, sounds, content and of course usability. Since this seminar I have spent a lot of time on this website downloading apps for the Ipads & androids at Grenham Bay and have been so pleased with the games and how the residents have responded to them. For me the most surprising part was how people were able to understand the games even in the moderate to advanced stages of dementia and really got valuable stimulation, engagement and most importantly – enjoyment.
To ask the question again, are there benefits of using technology in dementia care?
Absolutely! anything that can bring new opportunities and periods of happiness to people living in care has to be worth any cost a provider may bare.
Grenham Bay Court 