Monday 21 September is World Alzheimer’s Day, the perfect time to find out how new technology is helping those with living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia to remain at home independently
One family to benefit are Meryl and her father, John. John lived alone, but his dementia meant that his family were concerned about his safety at home. Home care workers visited every day to support him with personal care and meals, and his daughter saw him often.
John was offered home monitoring and emergency call systems, so Meryl could check if he was up and about during the day, using the kitchen, when visitors came to the house and to understand if John was up during the night. Meryl felt she could monitor her father’s safety without being overly intrusive.
Meryl said: “It does help, because you can tell that dad’s been up and about during the day, that he’s gone and made a drink, because obviously, we knew the times that the support workers went in, but we could tell that outside of those times, he was moving around the house. He was using the appliances and things like that.
“With this equipment, it’s only telling you somebody’s movements within a house, it’s not tracking them. It’s not looking at what they’re doing, but it’s giving you enough information just to know that everything’s okay.”
Although John eventually moved into a care home Meryl believes the technology enabled him to stay at home for longer than expected.
She added: “It’s a brilliant facility for people to have. And it enables families to keep their loved ones at home for as long as possible. And you’ve got that peace of mind. You can check them on there and make sure that they are safe. With that in the property, we were able to keep him home a much, much longer time.”
Cllr Steve Clegg, Executive Councillor for Adult Care and Health, said: “We know that a lot of older people, including those with dementia, just want to continue living their ordinary lives at home for as long as possible.
“Technology-enabled care not only helps people maintain their independence and stay in their own home for longer, but it can also give carers real-time updates on their loved one’s location and condition, providing peace of mind.
“The technology is improving all the time, helping to enhance the experience of those receiving care and enabling the council to better manage the increasing demand for services. It’s revolutionising 21st century care, offering both better support and better value for money – it really is a win-win situation.”
If you would like to know more, the interactive Gadgets, Tools and Technology House explains how the right equipment can make a real difference. Simply click on a room, and you’ll be presented with a range of equipment that can help you continue doing everyday tasks, like washing and cooking, while staying safe and healthy.
This free tool is available to everyone and has already been used by over 3,000 people since it launched earlier this year. Much of the equipment recommended can be purchased from a range of ordinary retailers for a moderate price, and, in some cases, the council may be able to help with the cost, depending on your circumstances. The tool is available on the Connect To Support Lincolnshire website: https://lincolnshire.connecttosupport.org/
For more information about dementia support you can access the Alzheimer’s Society’s website at www.alzheimers.org.uk.
For information about the support available in Lincolnshire, see our service directory on the Connect to Support Lincolnshire website at https://lincolnshire.connecttosupport.org/ or contact the council’s adult social care team on 01522 782155.