Page 52 - Changes and Challenges

Dementia
Changes and Challenges
Recently I heard of some ‘wonderful’ assistive technology implemented to
enable a person with very limited mobility control his home via a variety of
wireless remotes and an array of sensors. The whole system failed when
someone (a paid carer) placed an empty cardboard box on a shelf that blocked
an infrared sensor. The best laid plans of mice and men.
Simple is best, but a good understanding of both the problems (and
challenges) and the potential solutions, by all parties is better.

Timing
In order for any solution to work well, we must be familiar with it and be
comfortable using it. The nature of our diseases is that they degenerative and
our conditions will worsen over time. As such our ability to learn new things
and to adapt to the new is decreasing. Despite the best of intentions from all
and great efforts in learning how to use something new, our efforts may be in
vain. The new ‘solution’ may be very short lived, and everyone’s level of
frustration may be raised. I would suggest that new aids, procedures etc. be
introduced well before their need is critical. That way they will be familiar and
more likely to be engaged with.
Solutions need to be implemented proactively in advance of the point when
they would be necessary.

An example of this approach I’m taking is with my balance. I’m aware of some
issues with my balance, but nothing that has caused a fall. This is due largely
to me being very much self-aware and avoiding situations where it could
cause a fall or worse. I’m currently in the process of getting some small
structural changes i.e. some purpose-built hand rails sourced and installed.
This is so that I can adapt to them and have them useable when I need them.

An annoying downside to this approach that comes with self-awareness can
be that because you know your ability to sustain something new that is
outside your normal experience is limited, you refuse to waste your time
doing something that will quickly show to be not sustainable and hence a
waste of your ever-diminishing time. Those making these suggestions often
refuse to believe this. They need to better understand Dementia.

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