What is wearable technology for dementia care?

Wearable technology has become ubiquitous in recent years with people using everything from exercise trackers to sleep monitors. As a carer for a person living with dementia, you may not have considered the possibilities these devices represent for keeping your loved one safe and comfortable.

Just as every person living with dementia is different, there is a wide selection of wearable technology solutions available. Each one has its own purpose and could help combat some of the common challenges that those living with dementia face daily.

How does wearable technology differ from assistive technology?

Wearable technology for dementia care is a type of assistive technology that has been developed with the elderly in mind. While assistive devices include things like smart doorbells and screen readers, wearable technology is portable and designed to be placed on the body and therefore always within easy reach.

There are many benefits of wearable technology, especially for people with cognitive impairment. These include devices not getting lost, as well as collecting data on the individual to help identify patterns and establish more personalised care.

What types of wearable technology are available?

When contemplating wearable technology solutions for people living with dementia, it’s worth thinking carefully about which problems you’re looking to address. This will help to narrow down the options and find the right devices for your loved ones.

Personal alarms

One of the most common pieces of wearable technology for the elderly and those living with dementia is a personal alarm. Usually worn around the neck as a pendant or on a band like a watch on the wrist, these devices put an emergency call button within reach at all times.

These buttons are linked to a monitoring service, with a system in place to respond when the alarm is triggered. Often, this will mean a caregiver is alerted via their smartphone, but some personal alarms are also equipped with two-way communication so somebody from the service can talk and reassure the person living with dementia.

The type of alarm you choose will depend on the individual circumstances of your loved one. If they are living a relatively independent life, then GPS tracking can be a very useful feature of the personal alarm you select. This means you can be confident of finding them should they get lost while out shopping or running other errands.

Personal alarms can also be fitted with fall sensors, which monitor the gait and usual movement of a person living with dementia. Should this change, then it can raise the alarm that the individual may have fallen. The risk of falling can increase with dementia and not being able to get back up can be both distressing and detrimental to their health.

Other types of wearable tech

Fall sensors and GPS tracking aren’t only limited to personal alarm devices. New solutions are always being developed, with smart socks among the most recent innovations. Utilising sensors and AI, these socks can detect agitation and prevent falls in people living with dementia.

Wearables that include reminders can be useful to help ensure medication isn’t missed, while health trackers can alert carers to emerging issues. Caring for people living with dementia is multifaceted and using technology to manage some of the day-to-day challenges can ease the situation for both you and your loved one.

VAT exemptions on wearable technology

Cost can be one of the barriers to embracing wearable technology for people living with dementia. VAT relief is available for those with a physical or mental impairment that has substantial, long-term effects on your everyday life. This is defined by the World Health Organisation as anything that lasts for more than three months.

Dementia fits firmly into this category, meaning VAT should be exempt in the majority of cases. Further financial support is often available from local councils and charities and organisations such as Independence at Home, Age UK and the Home Independence Agency.