Dementia
About dementia
"The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more
importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest"
Thomas Moore
In dementia, affected areas in cognition may be memory, attention, language and problem solving. In the latter stages of dementia affected persons may be disorientated in time, in place and in person. The most well-known type of dementia is Alzheimer's disease.
This places a significant burden on the caregivers.
By 2026 this figure is predicted to be 70,115 and rising to 103,998 by 2036 - an increase of 67% in less than 20 years.*
*Source: The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Manifesto 2007-2009
How can telecare help?
Technology by means of providing telecare sensors around the home can promote independence and enable those with dementia to stay in familiar environments for longer periods of time. This is significant as changes in environments can prove quite stressful to those with dementia while easing the burden from the carer.
Telecare sensors can reduce a number of risks associated with the onset of dementia or by managing those who have dementia. Some examples of risks are listed below.
- Walking about or wandering
Technology can play a central role as our systems are unobtrusive. The Property Exit Sensor notifies our monitoring centre via PIRs (Passive Infra Reds or movement detectors) and door contacts when the client has walked out of their door and not returned. The carer can then be notified allowing appropriate action to be taken as quickly as possible to ensure the user is returned to a safe environment.
The Property Exit Sensor can also be used to raise an alarm if the monitored door has been left open for a specified period to ensure building security and client safety. Optional lighting controllers can be installed in order to turn on an outside light whilst reducing the risk of falling. Click here for more information.
- Cooking
Often people with dementia can't remember when they have eaten or forget that they have turned on appliances such as electrical kettles and gas rings. Telecare sensors listed below can assist those with dementia.
Temperature extremes sensor can be placed in the kitchen to monitor a rapid rate of rise in temperature. Click here for more information.
Smoke detectors will raise an alarm while also activating an audible alarm. Click here to view more information.
Gas detectors are useful for those who are in the habit of leaving a gas ring or the gas cooker switched on. An alarm is raised if the gas detector detects dangerous levels of gas in the property.
While the person with dementia may be used to cooking with a gas stove or gas cooker it might be worth suggesting that they use alternative methods such as an electric oven or a microwave oven. Click here for more information on the gas detector.
- Bogus callers
People with dementia are particularly at risk of burglary. The Bogus Caller Button is a simple button which can be placed near the front door acting as a visual reminder to exercise caution prior to opening the door. The Bogus Caller Button acts as a two communication system. By pressing the button the person can be reassured from the monitoring centre and this can provoke the thief to abandon the situation and run away. All calls are recorded which can prove valuable if used in court. Click here for more information.
For a full listing of all of our telecare sensors please click here.
To view our Dementia Guide click here or if you wish to obtain a copy call our Telecare Support Team at 1850 247 999.