Adaptive equipment designed to help individuals with decreased mobility, balance, motor control or vision loss often helps the dementia patient. Other types of adaptive equipment are specially designed for patients with memory loss. Equipment may function as warning devices, such as alarms that sound when the door is opened, or promote safety, such as electric candles. In addition, simple adaptations may increase success during recreational activities such as playing Bingo or reading.
Adaptive Equipment to Increase Safety
Individuals with dementia are at high risk of wandering, getting lost, falling and injury because of confusion and decreased awareness of danger. Hazards such as candles should be replaced with electric candles, and serrated knives that are not sharp can be used during food preparation. Electric stoves are preferable to gas stoves when the individual is still able to cook. Enhance safety with nonskid rugs, and install grab bars in the shower and on toilets. An individual who wanders may have a transmitter attached to the ankle so that an alarm sounds when the door is opened. Nursing homes frequently use alarm systems that indicate when patients who are at risk of falling get out of their chairs.
Compensating for Memory Loss
During the early stages of dementia an individual can use adaptive devices that compensate for memory loss. Large-print pill boxes with the days of the week written provide visual reminders to take daily pills. A clock with the date and day of the week also helps orient the person. Face clocks are generally easier to read than digital clocks. Telephones can be simplified by highlighting the number 1 with red nail polish. The phone can be set so that pressing a single number will call a helping person or the police during an emergency. Large-print TV remotes and telephones with bold numbers are easier to read. However, as the person loses the ability to manage technology, adapt the television by setting it on the person's favorite channel, highlighting the on/off button with red nail polish and putting tape over the other controls.
Adaptive Devices That Help during Meals
Individuals with dementia often have visual perceptual difficulties and decreased motor control that affect dining skills. Adaptive equipment may include a cup with two handles that is easier to grasp, a plate with suction that won't slide around and utensils with built-up handles that are easier to grasp. Use plates of various solid colors to create color contrast between food and the plate. In addition, as the person loses the ability to control a spoon or fork, provide easy-to-eat finger foods such as tuna on a cracker or cut-up pieces of fruit.
Adaptive Equipment for Recreational Activities
Individuals with dementia should be encouraged to engage in recreational activities that provide social and mental stimulation. Adaptive devices help compensate for cognitive, motor and visual limitations. Provide large-print playing cards and Bingo cards designed for individuals with low vision. Homemade Bingo cards can be simplified to have fewer and larger squares with only numbers rather than letters and numbers. Gooseneck lamps are ideal for directing lighting on work areas, assisting individuals to do crafts or read. At the same time decrease confusing glare with use of a visor or sunglasses. Adapted reading material can be created on the computer that has bold, large print. Delete any confusing punctuation marks. Print materials such as song lyrics or simple poems that can be inserted into page protectors in a binder.
References
- "The Source for Alzheimer's and Dementia"; Pam Britton Reese; 2000
- "Your Name is Hughes Hannibal Shanks"; Lela Knox Shanks; 1999
- "What If It's Not Alzheimer's?" Lisa Radin & Gary Radin; 2003
