Technology can be scary or thrilling. Or both at the same time !

I've never been really tech-savvy but when I worked in academic staff development at what was then the Royal Melbourne Institute of Techology I felt something of a moral and professional obligation to understand technology better. 

Since becoming curious about dementia, I've realised that there’s huge potential for technologies to help prevent, diagnose, and manage such chronic conditions. Today’s issue of Marathon News looks at a couple of these. 

Covid, screens and dementia

The last few years of the Covid pandemic and the associated lockdowns of ‘normal’ human connections have seen a rise in interest in and the use of online technology to connect and communicate with each other - Zoom, Messenger, FaceTime … 

But has technology made a difference to our understanding of dementia and the support we offer to those living with dementia?

What I’ve been noticing 

Thanks to the kindness of several of our members over the past few months, I’ve been noticing regular reference to dementia in on- and off-line magazines aimed at seniors and professionals. 

This is a good sign. We need more conversations about dementia within the global population. 

We know that the greatest predictor of dementia is age (predictor, not cause - the cause or causes of dementia are still under active research) so it makes sense for seniors to take an active interest in this chronic disease of the brain. 

E&T

This UK and online magazine of electronics and technology (eandt.theiet.org ) recently featured the article Can Tech Improve. Care For People With Dementia by journalist, Helena Pozniak (https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2021/09/can-tech-improve-care-for-people-with-dementia/). 

Promise and Pitfalls 

Think of technology as a set of ‘digital tools’ that include simple memory apps, artificial intelligence and digital therapies. 

If you’re like me, when you hear words like 'memory apps' and 'digital therapies' you’re immediately starting to wonder what in the world are we talking about? 

Apps, games and blue sky

Simple memory apps. If you’ve used Alexa, for example, you probably are already familiar with a memory app. You can ask Alexa to remind you to drink some water or even prepare a meal. 

Of course, you will have to fetch and drink the water and cook the meal - that's why it's a 'simple' memory app. But none the less useful. 

Whether you’re living with dementia or ‘just’ living with older age, you too can reap the benefits of a memory app. 

If you're not sure how or where to start, get someone to show you.

If you or your family member or friend have mild cognitive decline, using a reminder app could significantly improve your life by ensuring that you actually do some of the things you know you want to do. 

Like many good habits, the earlier you start, the better.

Artificial intelligence. If simple memory apps help with individual reminders, artificial intelligence enables the enjoyment of online gaming. 

Of course, there are many games for solo players that don't use artifical intelligence, Solitaire being a prime example. But it's articial intelligence that has given us the screen version.

Commercial gym equipment often comes with a choice of games. When I frequented a local gym in pre-covid days, I used to measure my time on the exercise bike by the number of Mahjong games completed! 

If you have an addictive streak, as many or us do, you may take to games in a big way. Again, if we’re talking mild cognitive decline, regular gaming via mobile telephone, tablet or desktop may make your life a bit easier and more enjoyable. 

Digital therapies. I place these in the realm of ‘blue sky’ because they mostly seem to be in the early days of development. My colleague, Kerry, covered one of these in an earlier newsletter, Bringing Back Gamma (https://app.convertkit.com/campaigns/8034118/report/content). Pozniak in her article reports a similar project with mice in the UK. 

UK Projects 

Pozniak identifies a number of significant projects currently happening in the UK that have a positive impact on the independence, safety and wellbeing of people living with dementia. 

These include projects that help in:

• Spotting early signs of neurodegenerative disease
• Managing dementia
• Understanding the experience of dementia

What next?

Please share with us what you have found personally useful in technology in your daily life. Just go to the Comments section below.