Technology Advances in Alzheimer’s Care
The Alzheimer’s Association mentions that over 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and as many as 16 million will have the disease in 2050. Nearly one in every three seniors who dies each year has Alzheimer’s or another dementia. The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia is estimated to total $203 billion in 2013, increasing to $1.2 trillion (in today’s dollars) by mid-century. As it would seem from these staggering statistics alone, Alzheimer’s disease makes day-to-day life more difficult for seniors and those experiencing even lower-tiered symptoms and difficulties. Little things like misplacing keys, forgetting to turn off faucets or issues relating to wandering can prove frustrating or even create serious hazards for those coping with the disease. Let’s face facts, often, we as family members, friends or those experiencing issues stemming from Alzheimer’s can be less than qualified in noticing the symptoms before things get too late. Luckily, there have been some amazing advancements over the past 5 years that can assist us as loved ones to not only notice, but also combat and cope with some of these symptoms more efficiently. These “assistive devices” can range anywhere from simple trackers, reminders, apps or even wearable devices throughout the realm of fully integrated programs installed in retirement homes to catch changes in a persons’ behavior in hopes to pre-warn caregivers or family members of a possible future issue.
In an effort to help the constant issues of medication management at home, some home home health care agencies over the past 1-2 years have adapted to using systems to compliment their care plans such. Many seniors who receive dementia or other Alzheimer’s care in some states struggle with taking their prescription medication on time and with taking the proper dosage and turn to this type of assistive device. Caregivers or family members load up the SafetyChoice system with up to three to four weeks of medication, and then this technology automatically dispenses the proper medication at the right time. This way, the senior never has to worry about counting pills or watching the clock to avoid missing medication. An automated voice and blinking light system signals the senior when it is time to take their medication. If the senior ignores the medication reminder, Medication Solutions will automatically alert the family or appropriate Comfort Keepers caregivers, to make sure that the senior does not miss their medication. Unfortunately, these systems do not work on their own. Alzheimer’s patients with lower functioning lifestyles often have just as much of a need for dosing systems as they do systems to make sure the medication is taken/administered properly.
Another effective Alzheimer’s care technology solution is the PERS system, equipped with GPS technology. This system is small and portable, able to be worn on a wristband or as a pendent around the neck. Many seniors with Alzheimer’s are in danger of wandering and becoming lost, especially seniors who lead active lives or seniors who live in rural areas. The PERS system with GPS has two benefits. If the senior becomes lost and confused, they can press the button on their portable PERS system and be immediately in touch with caregivers at the 24 hour Centralized Monitoring System (CMS). A response professional will be able to engage in immediate two-way communication with the senior through the PERS system and dispatch emergency help directly to the senior’s location (which is known because of the GPS technology in the PERS system). The Comfort Keepers response professional will reassure the senior until help arrives. A second benefit of the PERS system is that family members can track their senior loved-one’s real time location either online or by dialing the 24 hour CMS.
Lastly, G.E. has been a leader in providing some amazing technology options that can assist seniors in an Assisted Living setting. They have engineered a fully integrated system that provides real-time, non-invasive monitoring for all the residents in the Assisted Living community. G.E. touts that “QuietCare uses advanced motion sensor technology that learns the daily activity patterns of residents and sends alerts to help caregivers respond to potentially urgent situations. Caregivers can simply check in as part of their daily routine or quickly intervene if necessary.” Basically, picture a room-full of small motion detectors that monitor the daily movement patterns of your loved one (i.e. bathroom trips, sleeping duration, etc…) and calculates what lies within reasonable standards what is “within the pattern” and what is “a new pattern.” This type of monitoring has, in the past alerted nursing staff and caregivers of “erratic” behavior that can lead them to being able to diagnose changes in behavior, medication issues, urinary tract infections and many other key identifiers of Alzheimer’s disease.
Just as a final word of caution, technologies should enhance and enable independence but they do have the potential to produce less positive outcomes. For example, if a device is misused it may replace human contact with the person with dementia, or restrict rather than enhance their freedom of movement. Some people might even find that the very presence of the equipment reminds them about their memory problems, which can cause distress. Importantly, no one should be forced into using technology if it is not right for them. The person with dementia must be involved in the decision making and their consent sought and given, where possible.Where this is not possible, it is vital that people making the decisions have the person’s best interests at heart.
