Dementia affects everyone differently. Some people living with dementia may be affected by confusion, sensory and memory loss, disorientation or mobility constraints.
Your doctor, family, friends, and other health professionals can suggest changes and help you find resources to support your safety.
Tools and aids include medication reminders and dispensers, date and time tools, item finders, digital photo books, home safety devices, communication tools and sensory aids.
Design changes can also make your home dementia-friendly. Some changes can be inexpensive, while others may cost more. Learn what’s available, how it can help you and if it’s within your budget.
Dementia can make everyday life harder. But there are tools and technologies that can help you live the best life you can.
These tools make it easier to do everyday tasks. They can help you:
stay safe at home
stay independent and live at home for longer
reduce stress for you, your friends and your family.
Some tools and aids are cheap and simple. Some are more expensive and high-tech. Choose the ones that will give you the most help, within your budget.
Here are some of the most helpful tools, aids and technology for helping you live at home with dementia.
Medication reminders and dispensers
These devices can help you to take your medication correctly. They include:
pill (dosette) boxes that have separate flip-top compartments labelled with the time or day
automatic pill dispensers that make a sound or provide a visual prompt when it’s time to take your medication
mobile apps that help you to manage your medications
Webster-paks, which package your medications together based on the time and day you need to take them. These are available from pharmacies, and can be supplied in different languages or in special packs for people with low-vision.
Date and time tools
Calendars and reminders can help you keep track of time and tasks. They include:
clocks that show the time, day and date
clocks that show when it’s day and night
reminders you can set on your phone, tablet or computer
a whiteboard or daily planner, which you can use to list important tasks or appointments.
Item finders
Some aids can help you identify or find important items. They include:
signs, photos and visual aids to label different rooms, or tell you what’s in drawers and cupboards
Bluetooth tags, which you can attach to things and then track with a mobile app if you can’t find them
item finders, which you attach to important items like keys. If you push a button on the accompanying remote, it will make a sound, making it easy to find the item.
Digital photo books
Digital photo books let you store photos with audio captions. These captions can be easily played back, reminding you of who or what is in the photo.
Safety devices
Supportive aids can help you to stay safe at home. They include:
electrical safety switches and gas leak detectors
shut-off devices that turn off a stove’s electricity or gas if it’s left on too long
safety irons, which turn themselves off if they’re left on too long
flood detectors or plugs, which sound an alarm if you leave a tap running. They can also open automatically when the water reaches a certain point
door and window sensors or monitors
fall detector alarms
motion sensor lights and automatic night lights
smart home automation systems, which let you pre-program heating, cooling, lighting and other technology.
Communication tools
You might find that it becomes more difficult to communicate with other people. Communication cards and other resource materials may help you express your needs.
Sensory aids
As your dementia progresses, sensory stimulation can help you to experience the world through your senses. Sensory aids can range from therapy dolls and robot pets, to sensory cushions that have different textures.
If you feel overstimulated and overwhelmed, noise-cancelling headphones or weighted blankets can help.
The dementia-friendly home
Dementia Australia’s Dementia-Friendly Home webpage shares tips and videos on how to create a dementia-friendly home, and includes a room-by-room list of simple, inexpensive home improvements.
How to find tools and aids for dementia
The National Equipment Database (NED) has more information about technology and aids that can help you live at home safely and for longer.
The National Dementia Helpline: free telephone support for people living with dementia, and their families and carers – available every day, anytime. 1800 100 500.
Carer Gateway: emotional and practical services for carers.
