Assistive Technology for People Living with Dementia and Their Caregivers

Scientist Explains with Chaitali Desai, PhD Candidate

Dementia is a challenging condition, not only for those who live with it but also for their caregivers. In Canada, over 60% of people living with dementia live in their own homes and communities, while more than 25% of these individuals rely on family members or friends for help with everyday activities like eating, walking, personal hygiene, and scheduling (Canadian Institute for Health Information, 2022). This can be difficult, with many caregivers feeling stressed or even depressed as they try to balance these duties with their own lives.

So, how can we support the dignity, quality of life, and independence of people living with dementia and their caregivers? Technology is playing an important role!

Types of Technology Helping People Living with Dementia and Caregivers

Assistive Technology (AT) includes products and services that help people with dementia live more safely and independently. Throughout this article, the words 'products', 'devices', 'tools', and 'aids' are all used interchangeably to mean assistive technology. They range from simple devices to sophisticated software and are typically chosen to match each person’s needs. People living with dementia and their caregivers often use a combination of these products and services to make daily life easier.

Here’s how they work:

Monitoring Devices

Examples such as GPS technologies track movements or help people find their way if they get lost. Sensors placed on doors or under mattresses send alerts if someone leaves their room or the house unexpectedly. Motion-activated alarms detect falls and alert caregivers in real time. These devices improve safety, reduce falls, and ease stress for caregivers by providing more peace of mind.

Reminder Systems

Examples such as automatic pill dispensers, smartphone reminder apps, and smart home devices remind people to take their medications, eat, or do other important tasks. These systems help people stick to their routines and reduce the stress and anxiety often felt by caregivers.

Safety Devices

Mobility aids such as wheelchairs and walkers help people move safely around their homes and communities. Grab bars and handrails provide stability and prevent falls, while wearable technologies can detect falls — enhancing safety at home.

Communication Tools

Mobile apps and telehealth platforms enable peer support and knowledge sharing among healthcare professionals and caregivers, while allowing people living with dementia to consult providers from home — reducing travel stress and helping families coordinate care and monitoring.

Assistive Technology Services

Including assessment, training, maintenance, and follow-up are crucial for tailoring devices to the unique needs of people living with dementia and their caregivers. Proper installation, personalization, and real-time support help those in the early stages of dementia stay safe and independent at home, while reassuring their caregivers.

Studies show that these technologies can improve safety and help people living with dementia stay independent at home longer, while making caregiving less challenging. However, many studies use small sample sizes and do not track long-term results, which limit our understanding of the full benefits and possible downsides. To fill these gaps, we need larger, more detailed studies with active participation from people living with dementia, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to provide stronger, clearer evidence.

Overcoming Barriers to Adoption

While assistive technology (AT) can be very helpful, there are challenges in using it. High upfront costs and ongoing maintenance make these tools hard to afford, especially for people with fixed incomes. Some devices are also hard for people living with dementia to use, and many collect personal data, raising privacy concerns. In rural or remote areas, poor internet access can make these tools less effective. To solve these problems, we need affordable, easy-to-use devices that protect privacy and are available to everyone.

The Future of Technology in Dementia Care

Looking ahead, new technologies like wearables and sensors are being developed to track health in real-time and alert caregivers before emergencies happen. Platforms that combine features like reminders, monitoring, and telehealth into one easy-to-use system can help improve care.

It is important to involve people living with dementia and their caregivers in creating these tools to make sure they meet their needs. Working together with technologists, researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers is essential to ensure these tools are safe, ethical, and available to everyone. Ongoing research and investment are needed to make sure these tools are widely used, especially as the number of people living with dementia increases.

Why Comprehensive Research Matters

With more technologies available to support people living with disabilities, it can be difficult to find and understand the best options for your day-to-day use. It is important to sort through this growing information to make smart decisions, both on a policy and personal level, especially as assistive technology (AT) becomes a key part of managing dementia at home.

PhD Candidate Chaitali Desai, under the supervision of Dr. Rosalie Wang at the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute at the University of Toronto, is doing just that. Chaitali’s research carefully looks at both existing data and real-world experiences to help people living with dementia, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers choose and use the most effective assistive technology (AT). By organizing and summarizing these technologies for dementia care at home, her work helps make better, more informed decisions.

Reference
Canadian Institute for Health Information. (2022). Dementia in Canada: Dementia Care Across the Health System - Dementia in Home and Community Care. Retrieved from https://www.cihi.ca/en/dementia-in-canada/dementia-care-across-the-health-system/dementia-in-home-and-community-care