Assistive technology

Assistive technology refers to devices and systems that help people maintain or improve their independence, safety, and wellbeing. Some are specially designed to compensate for physical and cognitive functions associated with dementia.

Others are mainstream products that can help everyone, such as smart home technology and virtual assistants. 

Assistive technology in the home can be used to support speech, hearing and sight, navigation, safe walking, memory and understanding; daily activities such as bathing and cooking; and socialising.

Assistive technology could be:

• a standalone piece of equipment e.g. automated prompts, medical reminders, night/day clocks, locator devices
• part of a safety system e.g. automated lights, shut-off devices, fall detectors, location monitoring services. These often link to a sensor/alarm system such as telecare
• used to maintain relationships, skills and wellbeing e.g. adapted telephones, Skype, electronic games and apps
• used to help household management e.g. advanced digital technology like robots and the internet of things (where everyday household appliances and devices ‘talk to’ each other).

• Policy and guidance Open

  Alzheimers Society policy statement on assistive technology

  Dementia-friendly technology: a charter that helps every person with dementia benefit from technology that meets their needs - Alzheimer’s Society (2014)

  Assistive technology resources - Alzheimer’s Society
  Information aimed at different organisations on how dementia-friendly technology can improve lives are available to download from the Alzheimer’s Society website. Individual factsheets are available for housing providers, adult social care, hospital discharge teams and GPs and CCGs on how technology can help support independence and improve the quality of life for people living with dementia.

  Assistive technology: devices to help with everyday living. Factsheet - Alzheimer’s Society (2015)

  Assistive technology and dementia - Alzheimer’s Society
  Outlines the benefits and difficulties of assistive technology for a person with dementia.

  Getting equipped to tackle forgetfulness: top tips for family and friends (2011)
  Equipment, gadgets and technology to help people with dementia

  Staying independent: memory aids, tools and strategies: electronic memory aids – Alzheimer’s Society

  Dementia-friendly environments: assistive technology – SCIE (2015)
  Advice and information on assistive technology for people living with dementia.

  Using technology to support people with dementia – SCIE (2017)
  Examples of how technology can be used to support people living with dementia. They include: helping people with dementia to stay connected and keep in touch with family and friends.

  Staying independent with technology – SCIE (2017)
  Ideas of how ‘off-the-shelf’ technology can help to support older people and people with dementia to stay independent.

  Technology in care – Care Quality Commission (2018)
  Information for care providers on the benefits of using technology in care and what care providers should look out for.

• Resources and toolkits Open

  AT Dementia
  A website providing information on assistive technology that can help people with dementia live independently.

  Alzheimer’s Society online shop
  Includes aids help with everyday living, including easy to use telephones, clocks, reminders and bathing aids.

  Unforgettable
  Online specialist retailer/website of dementia and memory loss products and living aids. It includes products that can help create a dementia friendly home.

• Case studies / practice examples Open

  Three case studies on the AT Dementia website
  Highlight the benefits and challenges of using assistive technology to support and enable people with dementia to live more independently

  Using technology to stay independent: practical examples of using technology in the home (SCIE)
  Ideas of how ‘off-the-shelf’ technology can help to support older people and people with dementia to stay independent.

  Dementia: finding housing solutions – National Housing Federation (2013)
  Includes a case study of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing’s supported housing and assistive technology service, which works with people with dementia to support them to live independently in their own homes (p.18)

  Assistive technology as a means of supporting people with dementia: a review – Housing LIN (2012)
  Includes case studies and good practice examples.

  Are we nearly there yet? Enabling people with dementia to remain at home: a housing perspective – Housing LIN (2017)
  Includes a case study example of the use of telecare in Hull.

• Research Open

  Help at home use of assistive technology for older people. Themed review – NIHR Dissemination Centre (2018)
  Summarises the findings from recent research on assistive technology for older people, including people living with dementia.

  Telecare for people with dementia: evaluation of Refrewshire project - York Health Economics Consortium (2013)

  The case for investment in technology to manage the global costs of dementia - Policy Innovation Research Unit (2016)

  Ongoing research

  Assistive technology and telecare to maintain independent living at home for people with Dementia (ATTILA)
  Ongoing research which aims to establish whether assistive technology and telecare interventions safely extend the time that people with dementia can continue to live independently in their own homes and whether this is cost-effective. The trial is based at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London.