Dementia Care Applications for Smart Home Technology

When we think about smart home technology, usually young tech-savvy people spring to mind! I would be surprised if anyone reading a DesignSpark article didn’t own at least one piece of smart home technology if not a full house setup. But smart home tech has the capability of much more than ready-made morning coffee, or voice-activated lighting.

My work has been focused on the consideration of dementia care applications, looking at both physical and mental limitations. You would be hard-pressed to find many people with dementia setting up their own smart home systems, but they offer a wealth of opportunities. With a focus on automation over engagement removing the need for memory or thought in processes simple tasks you or I take for granted become something patients can too.

This consideration of automation is vital. When I began trialling systems the first relied on patient engagement, for example them clicking a button, scanning an NFC chip, or using a voice cue. All of which are common helpful smart home tools. This went exactly as well as you might expect, with low engagement and frustratingly low impact; to the point where my grandad took to peeling off the NFC stickers saying the colour didn’t match the kitchen!

So, we went back to the drawing board. Redesigning with inherent activation cue across all new systems as well as upgrading the old, aiming for all to require zero patient input. These revamped systems are built through sensing current state and change, then predicting the next steps. For example, when standing at the hob for more than a minute it starts a cooking system, or when turning on the kettle alerting a need for milk. This creates a system that actually functions with no memory needed, and definitely leads to better cups of tea with less mystery ingredients.

These systems are all built based on what a patient's normal day looks like with common sets starting with a morning bed routine. In these alarms and sensors lead to full morning routines with audio and visual cues holding your hand throughout. For my grandad it includes hearing aids, brushing teeth, getting dressed, the works. Followed up by breakfast and tablets. Especially in dementia patients’ routine is key meaning meals are often structured and consistent, at nanna and grandads that means bacon and eggs for breakfast. As such their system has sensors, lights, and audio cues programmed for breakfast. This looks like alerting to cupboards, the fridge, and all the utensils you would need in order with step-by-step guidance; plus, some safety features with hob shut-offs, and added fire alarms.

Looking less at routine one of the best examples comes from the front door with a smart lock. Initially, we trialled a fingerprint lock, in theory no need to remember anything but the locks didn’t feel right and getting the placement for print scanning was unnatural. We’ve shifted now to a code-based lock, using the same code as their old alarm system, which they’re loving, using the smart Yale lock from RS. So far, this system is working a treat with no lockouts since we installed compared to at least one a week, and replacement keys every month! The front door also hosts a number of other sensors and safety features to allow as much independence as possible. For them this system has been one of the most impactful as in any care setting safety is paramount.

In all these systems the end goal is increased confidence within the home for patients, career and families. Facilitating increased independence with a safety blanket. When we consider growing older the last thing you want is to be reliant on others, these smart home systems each in their own way alleviate that. It can form a bridge for low-level case supporting patients and carers for my grandparents the systems allow enough support for grandad to be alone for a full hour which a year ago was unthinkable.

I hope this post gives some insight into Taigh Companion and smart home dementia care from a high level and look forward to sharing more with you.