Impact analysis of Smart Assistive Technologies for people with dementia

摘要

Aims: To trial the use of a range of available Smart Assistive Technologies for people with dementia and their families. Methodology: Participants in the project were selected on the basis of having a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of dementia; living at home and eligible for government funding for care in their own homes. All participants were assessed by an Occupational Therapist, and then based on this assessment of individual need and functional capacity, were prescribed individual items of AT. Findings: The results found a range of benefits including a significant reduction in the extent to which carers were worried about the client getting out of bed at night and falling following the implementation of AT. No difference was found in the ability of carers to leave the client alone at home as a result of the AT, nor any indication that AT made the clients feel safer. AT did not reduce their need for external support services (respite), in-home care (housework and /or meals). Contrary to expectations results also found that neither the levels of stress nor the frequency of stress reported by carers decreased significantly secondary to the introduction of AT. Finally carers had perceived that using the AT would enable the client to remain home longer, however this was not supported by the post AT survey. Summary: The disability support and aged care sectors have not to date taken full advantage of assistive and other relevant technologies; there is a massive unmet need for greater support and a significant level of issues that are not addressed. There are a range of potential benefits of Smart Assistive Technologies for people with dementia, their families and carers. This small study confirmed some of these whilst confirmation of other potential benefits will require more research.