Alzheimer’s care providers recommend tech solutions to improve safety and convenience

Although there is not a cure for Alzheimer’s or dementia, those providing Alzheimer’s care are using many forms of therapies to reduce or slow symptoms, including electronics. Research indicates that technology has created an approach that helps people improve their quality of life through communication. One such device is a picture memory phone. This visual aid has pictures of contacts instead of phone numbers. For example, one of the memory numbers may be your number with a picture of you and another may be the doctor’s number with a recognizable picture of your parent’s doctor or his or her assistant. When your parent needs to make a call, they just push on the picture of the person or place they want to call. Alzheimer’s care professionals work with seniors and train them to use the phone while supporting their comfort level.

Another electronic component to keep your wandering parent safe is a monitor that detects when they walk off the premises of their home. Sadly, your mom or dad may be unaware they are nomadic. This device is discreet and will alert the Alzheimer’s caregiver when mom or dad gets out of bed or out of a chair or leaves the room. The caregiver can allow your parent to travel a safe distance on their own while tracking them and providing a comfort zone in which they will not get lost.

Although pet therapy has been proven positive for many Alzheimer’s patients, an electronic pet has many of the same comforts and benefits. The electronic pet responds when stroked, purrs, meows and rolls over. Alzheimer’s care providers say it has all the same responses short of a cat litter box, and it serves as a companion for many with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

In the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s, a smart watch or a medical alert button may be another electronic gadget that will help your parent. If your mom or dad gets confused, lost or has an accident, all they have to do is push the alarm, and they can call for help or be reached through GPS.