Assistive Living Technologies for Memory Difficulties, Dementia or Confusion

According to the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland, there are currently 64,000 people living with Dementia in Ireland today. It is expected that this number will more than double in the next 25 years.

And that is only those with an official diagnosis. An Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) report states that up to 60% of dementia cases in Ireland could be undiagnosed. Coupled with other memory issues such as cognitive decline, confusion and general forgetfulness, living with dementia is a challenge faced by many people in Ireland daily.

Better at Home?

According to the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland, over 63% of people with Dementia or memory issues live at home. This way of living has been proven to be the most beneficial as it gives them a sense of peace and happiness. They recognise their surroundings, feel safest in their home space and are also healthier for longer while at home.

The Alzheimer’s Society UK believes that people with dementia who want to remain in their own homes should be supported to do so for as long as possible. This option can be far less disorientating for someone with cognitive issues than a move to an assisted living facility, a memory care unit, or a nursing home. Familiar environments offer a great deal of security and peace of mind for individuals with memory issues.

Understand Together say that for loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, living at home is often the best option as it provides them with benefits such as:

• Comfort with their surroundings
• Higher level of trust in caregivers/family members
• More personalised attention
• Longer, more fulfilled lives
• Cost effective when compared to nursing home facilities.

Just as familiar surroundings are safe and soothing, the same can be said for daily routines. Maintaining a schedule like the one a loved one followed prior to their cognitive issues can help reduce anxiety and confusion.

In these instances, assistive technologies may act as an aid between carers visits, to ensure your loved one is never alone, even when they’re on their own.

So how can Assistive Technology help to allow people keep their independence for as long as possible and stay living in their own homes with cognitive issues?

Assistive Technology.

Assistive Technology is a term used to describe any device which can assist or help people who need it. Assistive Technology is primarily used for people with a disability and older people. However, it can be used by anyone who needs a little extra support.

In the instance of caring for someone with memory issues in their own home, Assistive Technology can help aid in the transition by:

• Providing safety: Smart sensors in the home can detect any environmental changes such as a drop in temperature. Notifications are then sent to the customer or their family members to notify them of this environmental change.
• Unwanted callers: Sensors can be placed in the home to detect unwanted visitors. From here, the family members and authorities are updated to ensure the safety and security of the older person.
• Fall sensors: intelligent devices can detect a fall even when the person is unable to call out for help.
• Wandering: If your loved one tends to wander and this has become a worry for you, HaloCare offer a solution in which they can call for help and HaloCare will assist them. HaloCare also offer assistance in locating your loved one if they get confused or wander outside of their area.
• Routine building: Assistive technology can aid in building a routine for you and your loved ones by setting gentle reminders. Whether that be to take their medication, or to remember the news at 6pm. By setting these reminders, it aids in their ability to live as they did before their memory issues.
• Calendar events: Set calendar events and scheduling between family members and homecare through apps. These apps ensure there is no miscommunications between people.
• Technology Aids: Technology aids have been designed to help people in situations where they may need them. For example, clocks which show the date, time and day of the week.

HaloCare.

HaloCare is a solution for older people who wish to stay living independently but need a little extra support. By using technology that works seamlessly in the background, HaloCare’s customers can continue to live their normal lives with the knowledge that HaloCare is always there when they need us.

HaloCare customers have complete peace of mind in the hours of the day when homecare or family carers cannot be there. Should an emergency occur, real-time information is sent to the Care Hub where trained specialists can react, respond, and reassure.

Their services work in conjunction with family and homecare providers, meaning if there’s ever a need for family members to pop out, they can do so without having that worry that there’s nobody looking after their loved one.

HaloCare Home:

This Service is for customers who may need that extra bit of support and reassurance within the home. This package is for people who are prone to falls, environmental factors such as leaving taps and cookers on, leaving doors and windows open or forgetting daily tasks such as eating, staying hydrated and taking their medication.

HaloCare Active:

This is for customers who need extra support in the home and also while out and about. Additional to HaloCare Home, this package is for people who are at risk of having an emergency while out of the home, have elevated anxiety and stress while out or tend to wander, get lost or confused. HaloCare offer reassurance and safety for people while out that someone is always there to assist them when needed.

HaloCare also offer an age friendly HaloPad for easy communication and the Halo App for providing updated information to the Circle of Care.

HaloCare offer a personalised experience for all of their customers. Their experienced Care Consultants can help design the appropriate package for your loved one and their unique needs.