Dementia Buddy Portal – The Use of Technology in Dementia Care

Abstract

Dementia affects over quarter of a million people in the UK today. As there is no cure, emphasis is focused on caring for those suffering and improving their safety and quality of life. Technology is used to solve all manner of problems facing the world's health today and this is no different for dementia. So far efforts have mostly been toward so called “assistive technology” to improve the safety of patients and is used by care systems around the world. This kind of technology however does not allow the sufferers themselves to be involved with the technology.

Studies have shown that the use of mobile applications can help stimulate user’s brains and give them a sense of helping themselves to deal with the illness. The aim of this project is to create a conceptual model and prototype of a mobile system to help dementia sufferers with daily tasks such as taking medication and remembering to eat properly. It is intended to be used in conjunction with caregivers to reduce the need for 24/7 care and keep sufferers independent for as long as possible.