How digital inclusion can help with dementia care

In Australia, nearly half a million people live with dementia and almost 1.6 million Australians are involved in their care. Assistive technology comes in many forms and is playing an increasing role in helping an individual to perform a task that they would otherwise be unable to do, or improve personal interactions through apps and games.

The week of 20 - 26 September is Dementia Action Week, an important date on the calendar to raise awareness of the condition.

Through our work with seniors, carers and care workers, we have seen hundreds of examples of how the use of smart devices is having a positive impact on those living with Dementia and those caring for them. We’ve shared three stories in this article.

The carers in these stories joined a YourLink digital inclusion program through their care support provider and received an iPad, data and three digital skills training sessions.

Jessica’s story

Jessica cares for her husband who is living with dementia and is unable to verbally communicate. Jessica was motivated to join our digital skills training program through her care support provider so that she could connect with her family living further away.

Embracing the opportunity to learn, Jessica now regularly uses video calls to stay in touch with her family. She also has found the iPad to be an essential tool for respite throughout the day when her husband is resting. Being able to search for and save recipes or play card games while having a cup of tea has provided some self care opportunities. She also creates music playlists on Spotify for her husband to listen to and has joined a dementia support group she found by searching on the internet.

One of the unexpected benefits for Jessica was the world of podcasts. Her husband loves them. He listens to them all the time and it’s the one thing that he interacts with in a very positive way and keeps him focused. The podcast app has become her new best friend.

Grace’s story

Grace and her husband had recently moved into a retirement village but found it difficult at first to make connections. Grace has the early stages of dementia, is unable to drive anymore, and with her family living more than 3 hours away from their new home they felt isolated.

Grace was eager to use the iPad and training as a way to connect more to her family, access entertainment, apps and social media, as well as support services.

Grace quickly learned how to add contacts, download apps, change her background picture as well as setting up Siri to make FaceTime calls for her. It has helped Grace become more independent and she is enjoying doing more for herself without relying as much on family. It is keeping her mind sharp and allows her to repeat things to help with her memory. She is using it every day and wants to maintain the use of the iPad as her dementia progresses. Above all it is helping her maintain a positive outlook.

Elizabeth’s story

Elizabeth’s husband was the technology expert of the household, but having been diagnosed with dementia, this role now fell to Elizabeth which felt overwhelming. Whilst she had a good understanding of the basics, she wanted to understand the technology better, keep in touch with family more and find ways to be able to use the iPad to keep her husband entertained.

At the beginning of her journey with YourLink Elizabeth rated herself as a 4 out of 10 in terms of confidence with smart devices. As a result of her training, Elizabeth became more confident with FaceTime and can talk to her family living away and overseas. She is using her iPad for everyday things, having applied all she learned in training. At her last training session she came prepared with next step questions and rated herself as being much more confident.

Digital inclusion is so important and it’s stories like these that prove how access to devices and skills literacy can help close the digital divide. We call these stories the ‘moments that matter’, and it’s why we love what we do.

*Names used in this story have been changed for our client’s privacy.

Stats from Dementia.org.au