Learn about the 4 categories of assistive technology for Alzheimer's caregivers and care recipients. While this technology is scarce, there is potential. For the complete article, check out: http://togetherinthis.com/what-is-assistive-technology-for-alzheimers/ You can contact me at: mikegood@togetherinthis.com

1. Good Innovators Proprietary
What is Assistive
Technology for
Alzheimer’s?

2. © 2014 Good Innovators. All rights reserved
Summary
 Technology for Alzheimer’s fits into Four
Categories which will be discussed:
 Caregiver Peace of Mind
 Caregiver education, organization &
planning
 Patient Assistance
 Patient Enrichment
 This is part 1 of an on-going series
where we will explore these 4 categories

3. © 2014 Good Innovators. All rights reserved
 Increased design complexity
 Older adults & especially those
with dementia need technology
that doesn’t break or add burden to
their lives
 Big companies only stick their toes into
the water due to lower profit margins
Cutting-edge technology is scarce

4. © 2014 Good Innovators. All rights reserved
Technology can help
 Won’t fix things
 It can:
 Provide peace of mind and improved
well-being of caregiver and recipient
 Keep care recipient safe, independent,
and enriched
 Help with Activities of Daily Living (ADL)

5. © 2014 Good Innovators. All rights reserved
Four Categories
1. Caregiver peace-of-mind,
2. Caregiver education,
organization & planning,
3. Patient assistance, &
4. Patient enrichment

6. © 2014 Good Innovators. All rights reserved
Caregiver Peace of Mind
 Need peace of mind to know that
loved one is safe and happy
 “Guardian” devices - allow us to “keep an
eye” on the care recipient
 monitoring devices such as camera systems,
GPS trackers, or fall detection devices
 Area where most companies are focused

7. © 2014 Good Innovators. All rights reserved
Caregiver education, organization &
planning
 Empower the caregiver with
knowledge and tools to manage
issues
 Software solutions - websites,
smart phone apps, or
spreadsheets
 Some solutions help the care circle
communicate events and issues to one
another in a timely manner

8. © 2014 Good Innovators. All rights reserved
Patient Assistance
 Help with Activities of Daily Living
 There’s no “one size fits all” solution
 Each patient is different
 Ability to learn is lost
 Unlearn – opposite of children
 Two categories:
 Passive
 Intelligent

9. © 2014 Good Innovators. All rights reserved
Patient Assistance, cont.
 Passive
 Clock that displays text
 Pill box
 Care recipients must remember and/or
rationalize the purpose of the device
 Relatively low development cost and
quick to market

10. © 2014 Good Innovators. All rights reserved
Patient Assistance, cont.
 Intelligent
 Artificial Intelligence
 Robotics
 Designs tend to be driven by Gov’t &
universities
 Most “die on the vine” & are not brought
to consumers due to complexity & cost

11. © 2014 Good Innovators. All rights reserved
Patient Assistance, cont.
 Intelligent, cont.
 Must provide Computer Initiated
Engagement (CIE)
 Unsolicited nudges, reminders, &
comfort
 Adjust to needs and emotions
 Development costs high and slow to
market

12. © 2014 Good Innovators. All rights reserved
Patient Enrichment
 Create purpose and success
 Lift their spirit
 Early-stage
 Staying socially active
 Projects with purpose – i.e. helping
others
 Home computer, smart devices and
apps can help

13. © 2014 Good Innovators. All rights reserved
Patient Enrichment, cont.
 Late-stage
 Sensory stimulation – sight, hearing,
touch, smell
 Reminisce – music, videos, pictures
 System must adapt by detecting
changes in mood, ability, and use
 Reduce caregiver burden – not add to it

14. © 2014 Good Innovators. All rights reserved
Human Interaction
 In our lifetime, technology will not
entirely replace the caregiver
 When it does, will it provide the same
emotional bond that imprints upon our
spirit?

15. © 2014 Good Innovators. All rights reserved
Good Innovators
 Working to identify solutions through:
 Dementia professionals
 Unpaid caregivers
 Care recipients
 Established TogetherInThis.com to build
community to help caregivers find
solutions

16. © 2014 Good Innovators. All rights reserved
Thank you for viewing
For the complete article, check out:
http://togetherinthis.com/what-is-assistive-
technology-for-alzheimers/
You can contact me at: mikegood@togetherinthis.com
TogetherInThis.com is a Good Innovators’ initiative helping
dementia caregivers