The world health organisation describes dementia as a syndrome, typically of a chronic or progressive nature, caused by various brain illnesses that affect memory, thinking, behaviour, and ability to perform daily activities. Older citizens that experience dementia tend to lose cognitive functions such as remembering, thinking, and reasoning. At times they may lose control of their emotions, and their personalities tend to change.
Today, digital innovations are revolutionising senior care through nutrition control, fitness management, critical measurement, and communication technologies. When caregivers utilise digital innovations, they can make life easier, safer, and enjoyable for senior people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Communication and digital memory apps are among the digital innovations that are helping senior citizens overcome memory loss and impairment. Below we take a look at how.
1. Digital Innovations Helping with Memory and Concentration
Most senior citizens suffering from dementia experience memory loss. Digital innovation and memory technology remind elders about vital responsibilities and tasks, lifting the pressure off caregivers. For example, smartphones have customizable alarm clocks and reminders that help elderly citizens remember doctor appointments and the time to take medication.
Memory technology provides seniors with a sense of autonomy. It is less patronising and annoying when one receives constant reminders from a machine instead of a person. Additionally, these digital technologies have creative ways, such as online games and pleasant applications, to support people with memory loss.
2. Utilising Digital Innovation Such as Digital Albums to Aid People With Dementia
People with dementia tend to recall things that happened a long time ago but have poor recent memories. This phenomenon is called reminiscence. Sharing videos, photos, and stories recorded in a digital album can help individuals with dementia regain their memory.
Recorded events on digital platforms can trigger reminiscence in senior citizens with dementia. Reminiscence reassures people with dementia that all is not lost and they still can use their memories. Furthermore, having stored happy memories on digital memory apps can help an individual with dementia feel good.
3. Applying Digital Innovation to Enhance Safety of the Senior Citizens with Memory Loss
Seniors tend to lose their short-term memory, and that can be dangerous. Simple things like forgetting that you are crossing a road, forgetting to switch off the oven, or forgetting that you are driving a vehicle can be catastrophic.
Fortunately, recent innovations have incorporated safety precautions to protect users with memory impairments. These safety measures implemented in modern equipment help reduce anxiety for older users and their families. For instance, the current electrical gadgets have timed cutouts that turn off the equipment automatically after a set period eliminating the worries about fires, explosions, and injuries.
Another example of digital innovations that help elders with memory loss is car GPS, wrist watch GPS, and smartphone maps. These technologies can help them find their way home, or their family members can use these to trace missing elders.
4. Digital Innovations That Keep the Elders Connected With Their Family
Isolating elderly citizens can cause rapid deterioration of their mental conditions. Some senior citizens can forget their family members totally if they do not communicate frequently.
Regular interaction between older adults and their families simulates their social life and leads to robust mental health. Senior citizens who often talk with loved ones on digital platforms have fewer chronic diseases, decreased depression, reduced loneliness, and improved well-being. For example, weekly video calls to your grandparents can help improve their social well-being and maintain their memory health.
Conclusion
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are common neurological conditions interfering with the memory of senior citizens. Memory loss can result in disastrous occurrences if ignored. Luckily, there are digital innovations that can prevent these accidents from occurring. Innovations like smartphones can remind older people to do their necessary duties. Finally, digital innovations are helping seniors fight loneliness by enabling constant communication and staying in touch with family living far away.
