At the ADI London conference I chaired a session about using technology to enhance the lives of people living with dementia, which could easily be applied to memory loss caused by any neurological problems or disorders, including aging. The four titles were 1) Simple technology solutions, 2) What is technology?, 3)You take the high tech, I’ll take the low, and 4) Technology in support of people with dementia and their carers, professionals and researchers. I chaired the sessions, and have just found a few notes taken on the day, which I thought might be useful for others. Ann Johnson presented on the first topic, she worked previously as a registered nurse and a nursing lecturer at Manchester University, and now lives with Alzheimer’s Disease. She also speaks regularly for UK dementia community. Her focus was on low tech solutions, including a very simple Dictaphone, audio books, a talking clock, a memex gadget for medication (an alarm goes off when meds are due), and in short, she is using some very simple methods to ensure a high quality of life with engagement and meaning. The second presenter, Graham Browne admitted he knew nothing about technology pre dementia diagnosis, and since being diagnosed with it aged 55, he now uses a computer and really loves it. He said that for him, the best and simplest assisted technology was the love and support of his family and friends. I thought, Bravo to this, as did everyone in the room at the time. Unfortunately, there seems to be many people who are elderly or living with dementia who lack this option as so often now family members live many miles apart from each other, sometimes even separated by countries, and many live alone. Edward McLoughlin presented the third tantalising topic, yet his presentation included all sorts of incredible gadgets and paraphernalia that looked like they would be very useful for memory loss living. He has lived with dementia for 12 years, is a very active member of the Scottish Dementia Working group, and has an MBE for services to dementia in Scotland. He referred us to www.handygadgets.com  and to the Royal Institutes for the Blind as they have a lot of aids for enhancing disabled skill sets. Things such as talking cards, a hob angel (turns off hot plates at preset times), glow mats, key turners and locators, medic alert and help cards, note detectors and coin holders, and mobile phones with large buttons and numbers. They seem simple, yet Edward has found them to be very effective, and he ended with a cracker of a funny true story which had him laughing before he could tell us the ending. Humour it seems, is imperative to survival. The final presenter was Peter Ashley, who was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia 10 years ago, and said he is very proud to have maintained his intellectual competence whilst losing many of his motor functions. His ideas included QR codes, the buddi system, and the new Windows 8 soon to be launched, along with many other things which I omitted to write down.

Someone at the conference, not in any of these sessions also suggested people include a photograph of themselves on their email Footer, and after my Christmas card experience late last year, where I often had no idea who the cards were from, I think this is a brilliant idea, particularly as now so many of us use email rather than phones or regular mail. There are a number of other strategies  I use, and previously there have been many of you offer ideas on this blog, so I’ve tried to bring them together for this one. They may not be specifically technological, but they are ideas that have helped me and others. When leaving phone messages, always leave your surname, and if you are a more recent contact, maybe even a good hint like how we know you (!) to help us remember you. Laminated lists are useful too, on things like the sequence of how to make a cup of tea, the order you need to do things n the shower or for dressing, and perhaps cupboards named with the basics of what is inside (therefore where things get returned after use). Reminders on mobile phones, and on email calendars, set up to re-remind if possible work well for me. Having someone phone you 10 minutes after your medication reminder to check you have not just turned the alarm off, and then still forgotten to take your tablet – and always having medication set up in a day and time pack (manual or pre-packaged from the pharmacy), and writing down if you take Panadol or some other non prescription drug so you have a reminder you have taken them. Anne told me about something she saw on TV, with a story about encephalitis which can take away women’s memories. One woman used a “SenseCam” which helped her remember her day. Liz Hayes: “The SenseCam, as its known, has recorded her day with us. It is technology researchers believe can trigger memories. Every 20 seconds it captures a picture, which Claire downloads at the end of the day. You can rewind the day?” She had it around her neck every day. I’ve been meaning to investigate this, but keep forgetting! Blogging or journaling are also useful for remembering things, as well as being useful to keep you connected with your family, friends and the wider community. Having friends remind you it is their birthday works for me, although so far, only one friend has had the sense of humour to do this! Having a sense of humour is essential, as is being willing to be honest about things that are not working for you. Getting doctors receptionists to contact your partner or carer the day before appointments to remind you of them is invaluable. On this topic, I always find it very amusing when I have forgotten an appointment at my neurologists’ rooms when they openly wonder why. Writing down as much as you can be bothered is helpful, for example when home alone now, I write down when I eat otherwise I either don’t eat at all until my husband gets home, or I eat too often. Hunger (or even the lack of it) is not enough now to trigger me to remember to eat. I use social media a lot as the profile pictures are very helpful although so far I’ve not worked how to set this up so the photos come through on my phone as well. There are bound to be dozens of other technological solutions to specific problems, and many more helpful ideas. Feel free to share them here.