For people living with dementia, life can become increasingly difficult as this degenerative condition progresses. Often, the symptoms of dementia begin to interfere with everyday life, creating new obstacles and taking the joy out of each day.
Finding innovative ways to overcome these challenges are welcomed by those with dementia and their families. New technologies and simple but effective upgrades around the home can make the world of difference to an individual experiencing the symptoms of this life-limiting condition.
We will explore the top eight dementia products available to help individuals with dementia experience a better quality of life. For more information on dementia care and how this can help alongside these handy helpers, take a look at our live-in dementia care guide.
How does dementia affect daily life?
Dementia is a term used to describe physical and mental symptoms that affect memory, coordination, problem-solving, speech, and behaviour. As all of these are used in everyday life, you can imagine how hard it is for a person living with dementia to continue with their daily routine and communicate with others. Not to forget the frustration that accompanies these cognitive difficulties.
People living with dementia often forget appointments, when to take medication, where items are around the home, to hydrate themselves, to eat on time, and may even forget to carry out personal care tasks. As a result, the cognitive effects of dementia can begin to have an impact on physical health, leading to a fast deterioration in health status.
As the condition progresses, individuals living with dementia may also experience distress, and wakefulness, and need increased levels of support, reassurance, and in some cases monitoring overnight. In the later stages, those with dementia will require help throughout the day, from feeding to toileting, as well as support with mobility, and behavioural symptoms.
Products that can make living with dementia easier
Discovering useful products that make life with dementia easier can be seen as a life-saver by loved ones and also the individuals with dementia themselves. Along with the assistance of dementia care at home, these products can give individuals back a sense of independence and offer families peace of mind.
1. Jigsaw puzzles
A helpful spin on a classic jigsaw puzzle, this product is made dementia-friendly with additional visual memory prompts and user-friendly-sized puzzle pieces. Puzzling can be both soothing and engage the brain whilst being a fun activity to pass the time. The images on the jigsaw puzzles include picturesque and calming landscapes that can help encourage conversation and allow carers and family to join in, too. Look out for special dementia-friendly puzzles for sale in retail stores to entertain your loved one living with dementia.
2. Coloured dinner plate
Tackling the challenge of ensuring someone with dementia eats enough during the day can be frustrating as the condition progresses. Simply by changing their dinner plate to a brightly coloured piece of tableware can help. A study conducted by Boston University found that individuals with dementia ate 25 percent more food from brightly coloured plates than those who ate from white plates. It is thought that many people with dementia experience vision and perception issues and can find it difficult to recognise food on white plates.
3. Emergency wristband
Investing in a wearable wristband and clip that doubles up as a personal emergency response service when triggered can be a good way to help keep loved ones with dementia safer. Disorientation and confusion are common symptoms of dementia, and they gradually worsen as the condition progresses. A device that alerts emergency services is a must-have product.
Choose a wristband that monitors movement and reassures the wearer that they can call for help at any time or place. Some wristbands have GPS to monitor the user’s location, which is particularly useful for those with a tendency to wander. Once the wearer presses the button for help, a 24-hour monitoring service will reassure them through the clip, alerting emergency contacts, relatives, or carers regarding their location.
4. LCD wall features
LCD wall features can help recreate beloved scenes for people with dementia. Not only can these evoke powerful and comforting memories for people living with dementia and their loved ones, but they can help start up conversations. Scenes like traditional rail travel with hours of slow scenic countryside footage that replicates the experience of classic train journeys provide calm and soothing visual stimulation that can help spark memories and improve the quality of life of those unable to get out as often due to the deterioration of their condition.
5. Digital radio
A simplified one-button digital radio has been specially designed not only for people with dementia but also for any elderly person who finds technology difficult to use. Individuals living with dementia can become confused by technology and by overly complicated settings on gadgets. A simple solution is to take things back to basics. A one-button digital radio is just one way to provide stress-free listening for radio lovers. In addition, the DAB radio offers clear reception from the speaker and a headphone jack for private use, making this an accessible product for those living with dementia.
6. Light therapy box
Emitting cool white light, a light therapy box can help individuals living with dementia manage symptoms such as sleep disturbances. Whether a loved one is sleeping too much during the day or experiencing episodes of wakefulness at night, this product can be a handy sleep-saver. Light therapy has the potential to help improve sleep patterns in people with dementia. By using a light therapy box, individuals can benefit just by incorporating it into their routine from 30 minutes to two hours a day.
7. Medical alert watch
A medical alert watch is an elderly alarm bracelet designed to ensure that the wearer remains safe at all times. It provides an emergency alert system with a built-in emergency assist button, a heart rate monitor, mobile phone and GPS tracking, providing individuals and their families with peace of mind.
8. Object locator
A digital tracker designed for small household items is a handy bit of kit for individuals in the early stages of dementia. A common symptom of dementia is forgetting where everyday essential items have been left, such as keys, purses, glasses and handbags. By attaching a tracker to these objects, users can track their location by pressing the remote control handset to sound an alarm.
How a live-in carer can help with dementia care
Along with these eight handy products, a live-in carer can help individuals living with dementia retain a sense of independence and good quality of life in their own homes.
Here’s how a live-in carer can help with dementia care:
- Personal care e.g. bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting
- Mobility assistance
- Meal preparation and help with feeding
- Encouraging good levels of hydration
- Transportation to and from appointments and social activities
- Facilitating hobbies and interests
- Medication management and gentle reminders
- Light housekeeping
- Managing behavioural difficulties
- Companionship and social stimulation
How Country Cousins can help
Finding the right dementia care becomes all the more important as the condition progresses. Without the support of a home carer, individuals can feel isolated and become frustrated as they face the symptoms of dementia alone. This is where a Country Cousins’ dementia care can help offer much-needed assistance to the individual and provide reassurance to their family.
With more than 60 years of experience, we have extensive expertise in a wide range of home care services, with dementia care at home being one of them. You can trust us to help you find the most suitable carer to support your loved one in line with their personal preferences and wishes. For more information on selecting dementia care for you or your elderly loved one, check out our guide to dementia care.
Talk to our team today
If you require live-in care for you or your loved one, get in touch with us at Country Cousins today. We are the UK’s longest-serving introductory care agency, having provided compassionate care to people in their own homes since 1959.
Give us a call today on 012923 224 706 should you have any questions about home care. Our experienced team is on hand to help from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. Alternatively, contact us through our online enquiry form.
