As you age, your cognitive capability, which includes memory, language and reasoning, changes in much the same way your physical ability. But just as there are things you can do to improve your physical ability, there are memory care exercises and products that can be used to improve your cognitive fitness.
Those that care for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease have recognized the need for memory care services, as well as the need for new innovations for those services in order to improve residents’ lives. Specialized technology, known as “brain fitness” technology has emerged as the greatest products to help enhance memory, visual/spatial skills, concentration, and verbal recollection. These products include items such as touch screens, video chat, video games, hand-held devices, computer software, and even mobile phone apps.
The Dakim Brain Fitness program has been used in assisted living communities with positive results. This software program engages the user in challenging yet fun games to improve concentration, memory, and focus. There are more than one hundred types of cognitive exercises and thousands of individual exercises that are personalized for the user. “Dozens of medical research studies conducted over the past two decades have concluded that participation in sustained, rigorous and broad-based cognitive activity can have a significant impact on long-term cognitive performance.” (https://www.dakim.com/dakim/)
As the technology advances for our computers, smart phones and other devices, the technology also advances for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. There are emergency devices to detect an imminent fall, GPS tracking devices for those that have a tendency to wander off, large-font digital clocks with month/day information to help keep track of time, and motion-sensor lights to help alleviate the need to try to find light switches. There is also video chat technology, such as Skype or FaceTime, that lets those with dementia keep in contact with their loved ones at any time.
In addition to technology that is already available to help those with dementia, there is also technology that is still in the early stages of development that could revolutionalize memory care. “Some cutting-edge work is in the realm of technology that can help people compensate for memory loss. For instance, wearable cameras with facial recognition capabilities could provide people’s names as they approach someone with dementia,” says Presbyterian SeniorCare’s CEO Paul Walker. “Technology that can assess a person’s cognitive load could help inform day-to-day decisions, Winkler adds. This is especially useful because people with early-stage cognitive issues might experience good days and bad days. Depending on what the technology says about how well someone is performing cognitively on a given day, a person might be able to judge whether is safe to drive or perform other hazardous tasks.” (http://innovation.seniorhousingnews.com/5-ways-memory-care-will-change-by-2025/)
Brain fitness technology plays a huge role in quality memory care and the cognitive well-being of those who suffer from dementia. More and more senior living communities are using these services for their residents and adding new ones as technology advances. Remember that these devices in no way take the place of the personal care that staff members provide to their residents.
