Search results for ‘Subject term:"activities of daily living"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 2 of 2
The puzzle of TVs and remote controls
- Authors:
- EVANS Nina, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 20(6), November 2012, pp.24-26.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
Watching television is a pastime that many people enjoy. However, with the growing complexity and variety of audio-visual equipment in the home, many people, particularly those with dementia, are finding it more and more difficult to access the programmes they wish to watch. The aim of this study was to investigate the difficulties faced by people with dementia who want to watch television. A questionnaire was distributed with an Alzheimer’s Society newsletter. A total of 99 completed questionnaires were returned, the majority of which were completed by a carer. The findings showed that only 18% of the people with dementia could use the television completely independently, and 47% could only watch if someone operated it for them. Frustrations about using the television mostly centred on the design of the remote control. Despite this, only 8 of the respondents had tried using an ‘easy to use’ remote. Most (58%) did not know that ‘easy to use’ remotes were available, while 23% felt they wouldn’t be able to use it anyway. The article concludes that there is an opportunity for manufacturers to utilise design and technology to create novel new ways of access television content and for more intuitive remote controls.
Using smart technology in an enabling way: a review of using technology to support daily life for a tenant with moderate dementia
- Authors:
- EVANS Nina, CAREY-SMITH Bruce, ORPWOOD Roger
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(5), May 2011, pp.249-253.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Bath Institute of Medical Engineering (BIME) has been developing technology for people with dementia for more than 10 years. BIME’s current system of enabling smart technology uses a system of pre-recorded prompts or messages, in addition to the more usual data monitoring and direct environmental controls, to support people with dementia to live independently. This single case study evaluated the use of the system over a 12-month period by an 85 year-old women with mild to moderate dementia living alone in a Housing 21, very sheltered housing scheme. Goals for the system included: automatic lighting for safe movement around the flat at night; messages to encourage her to stay in bed during the early hours of the morning; exit risk messaging; and a cooker mind in system. Quality of life assessments showed improvement throughout the year. The client was able to see benefits for the system but her family and the staff attached greater importance to the support it was able to provide. The client chose to return to her own home at the end of the 12 months. This case study highlights the importance of occupational therapy assessment skills in influencing the outcome of the use of technology and to ensure that it is optimised for the benefit of vulnerable adults and their families.