Managing varying degrees of dementia through touch screen technology.
In 2015 there was a study conducted by Worcester university on “How iPads can support people with dementia living in care homes” and the findings were extremely positive.
However times have moved on and there have been some draw backs to using iPads and smaller tablets in a care setting, the obvious being the size and ease of damaging a small tablet.
Since then a range of giant touch screen units, built into portable tables have been developed. To now take the use of touch screen technology further, we recommend using the tables to assist care through the various stages of dementia.
For the earlier stages of dementia, the majority of apps can be used and with a bit of practice. In some cases a resident can be left to enjoy certain apps themselves, however it’s advised for a member of staff to help switch between apps to limit a residents frustration. Some of those uses include:
Music therapy, finding familiar or meaningful songs, recorded concerts, or using apps with musical instruments to reminisce.
Reminiscence tours on Google Earth, taking a resident back to their favourite places in the world on street view. For early - mid stages of dementia, the stories will flow and provide hours of entertainment 1 to 1 or in groups.
Specific brain training/memory training apps, with the ability to set the difficulty to the residents ability and boost confidence.
Jigsaws and Word searches, to assist with hand eye coordination as well as providing entertainment.
Sensory applications, specifically designed to either sooth, calm, or entertain depending on the mood or requirement of the resident.
Exercise applications and videos, specifically designed for the elderly or wheelchair bound, to improve mood as well as the obvious physical benefits.
Social interaction, not just over video call on a large screen with loved ones, but also within a care setting, competing in group activities or discussions.
Entertainment, being able to find a residents most loved comedians or programs from yesteryear at the touch of a screen and quickly switch a mood is a powerful tool!
For mid stages of dementia and managing challenging behaviour.
A large number of care homes have found using the giant touch screen tables as a distraction to manage challenging behaviour and signs of sun downing. By creating a file for each resident with their factor applications in, any member of the care team can find a residents favourite apps that they engage most with at the touch of a button. These can be favourite games, taking a resident on a reminiscence tour using Google Earth, finding favourite documentaries/music on YouTube, or using one of the many sensory apps. Easier jigsaws and word searches can also be done individually or in groups as a way of keeping a residents mind active and if needs be, distracted.
For later stages of dementia and non verbal residents
Depending on an individual residents physical abilities, there are still a number of activities that can be completed using touch screen technology. We recommend contacting the family members to obtain a list of familiar songs, hobbies, places to visit, and historic sports events. Downloading musical instrument apps if a resident is musical can also be of benefit and even applications which assist speech. Using these on a large screen in front of a resident has been seen to create engagement with residents who care staff have found other avenues of generating engagement fruitless.
