Presenter Bio - Maine CITE



Assistive Technology (AT) for DementiaWelcome!Dec 6, 2017Presenter BioKelley Smith COTA/L, ATP Maine Assistive Technology SolutionsLicensed Occupational Therapy PractitionerRESNA Certified AT ProfessionalMore than 25 years of experience in Maine Providing community based IL services for people with disabilitiesAdvanced experience in serving individuals with cognitive disabilitiesPoll QuestionPlease tell us about yourself…Today’s ObjectivesParticipants will:Explore how assistive technology can assist people in each stage of DementiaLearn about assistive technology resources that support you in serving those with dementia, families and caregiversDefinition of DementiaA general term used for a chronic or persistent disorder of the mental processes caused by brain disease or injury marked by memory disorders, personality changes and impaired reasoning.Most Common Types of DementiaAlzheimer's Disease: 60-80% of casesAvg person lives 4-8yrs after diagnosedCaused by high levels of certain proteins inside and outside brain cells making it difficult for brain cells to communicate with each other. The hippocampus, the brain’s center for learning and memory in the brain, is often damaged first making memory loss one of the earliest symptoms. Most Common Types of Dementia - moreVascular Dementia:10% of casesCaused during an anoxic event when there is a lack of oxygen to the brain. Some examples are stroke, near drowning, choking, drug overdose, etcParkinson’s Disease: Although Parkinson’s Disease is more often characterized by motor control issues; dementia is a significant symptom in later stages.Seven Stages of DementiaStage 1: No impairmentStage 2: Very mild declineStage 3: Mild declineStage 4: Moderate declineStage 5: Moderately severe declineStage 6: Severe declineStage 7: Very severe declineWhat is Assistive Technology?AT Devices are any item, piece of equipment, or product -- commercial or customized--that will increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of a person with a disability AT Services help a person learn about AT options and decide if using AT will benefit them.Assistive Technology Throughout the StagesAssistive Technology may not be for everyone with dementia, however; for some it can provide great benefits which will assist them to live well with the condition by:Promoting independence and autonomyIncrease confidence and quality of lifeHelp manage risks around the homeAssist a person to live at home longerMaintain their abilitiesOffer assurance and decrease stress for caregiversQuestion:What AT are your clients, families, caregivers using?Please use the Chat/Q&A pod to type in your responseAssistive Technology AssessmentBe careful to not let AT replace the human touch and companionshipStay person centered in the AT process. Be sure they are willing & “buy into” using the ATBe considerate of the cost of AT. Some of the best solutions are the most simple and inexpensive Assure ethical practices when considering AT. Assistive Technology is IndividualizedWe are all unique. Our experiences as we go through any of the aging processes with be our ownAssistive technology is very individualizedThe individual's history and preferences should always be consideredAssistive technology can often be trial and errorStage 1: No Impairment The person functions normally. There is no evidence of symptoms of dementia.AT during Stage One: A good time to do planningAdvanced directivesDiscussions with family about desires and future needsIf the person doesn’t already have a smart phone or tablet and has interest; this is the best time to introduce some technology to aid in their ability to use timers, alerts, reminders and calendars down the road.Stage 2: Very Mild DeclineThe person experiences what they feel is normal age-related changes. They may feel as if they are having memory lapses, such as forgetting words, misplacing items, etc. Assistive Technology for Stage 2:This is often the best time to introduce new technology as most can cognitively still learn new tasks and they will likely be very interested in being as independent as possible now that they are recognizing issues. Assistive Technology for Stage 2Locator devices for belongings: TilesMotion sensing night lights guiding the path to the bathroomAssessing for home safetyBeginning home modifications Phone Apps:Calendar with alerts for appointments and eventsReminders for meds or tasksLumosity for brain trainingCameraNotesOn line bankingStage 3: Mild DeclineFriends family and co-workers begin to notice difficulties. The person struggles more with memory and concentration, performing tasks in a social or work setting, forgetting what they just read and increasing issues with planning and organizing. Personality changes begin to occur such as being more withdrawn. They struggle to participate in group conversationsAssistive Technology for Stage 3: AT may become more difficult to introduce and cause the person great stress at this stage as the person is beginning to struggle to learn and retain new information and the ability to reason begins to diminishThe person may say yes but will often not follow through without a great deal of supportAssistive Technology for Stage 3Personal Emergency Response with fall detection (satellite)Find my phone / friends appsLarge Dementia ClockTalking Clocks and WatchesPictello for story tellingFace Time / Skype for Communication Automatic deposits and automatic bill payments (consider collaborating with trusted support or POA)Lists / NotesSunrise / sunset alarm clockStage 4 & 5: Moderate to Moderately Severe DementiaThe person begins to forget recent events, increased difficulty with complex tasks, forgetful details of their life, confusion about where they are or what day it is, poor judgement and more significant changes in behavior. The person may experience more agitation and unfounded suspicion. Assistive Technology in Stages 4 & 5: Nearly all AT introduced during this stage will relate to creating the best possible environmentHome automation and remote monitoring can help keep a person in their environment safely much longerAssistive Technology for Stages 4 & 5Lighting automation / motion sensor lightingPhone with picturesSigns 2-way camerasMotion sensors: movement, faucets, chair / bed movement Remote monitoring agenciesPersonal locator devices: (geofencing) ex. watches, shoe inserts, tiles, local resourcesAuto or switch shut off for stoveStages 6 & 7: Severe and Very Severe Cognitive DeclineDuring these stages the person’s memory continues to worsen often recognizing faces but not the name of even those closest to them. The person will need assistance with daily care needs, will wander and become lost very easily, and eventually be unable to respond to their environment including communication and muscle control.Assistive Technology for Stages 6 & 7: Persons at this stage will likely not be left alone.AT solutions will be for the care of the person and monitoringAssistive Technology for Stages 6 & 7Personal sound or video monitorMotion sensors for the chair or bedBathroom modificationsShower chair, hand held shower headCommode, urinalIncontinent sensorsLifts: Hoyer / Track LiftRecliner Lift chair with remote Transport wheelchairAssistive Technology Resources Maine CITE: Website: Phone: 207-621-3195Funding AT: paying-for-at/Demo and Loaner: Coming Soon!Alzheimer’s Association: or 1-800-272-3900The Alzheimer’s Store: Alzheimer's Foundation of America: or 1-800-232-8484Alzheimer's Association UK: .ukAT ProvidersSpurwink / ALLTECH: Assessment, Demo/Loan, ReuseBureau of Rehabilitation: Independent Living (IL), Education & EmploymentAlpha One: AT/IL Assessment, Driving Evals, mPower Loans, IL GrantIris Network: AT for visual impairmentsMainely Access: AT AssessmentAgrAbility: AT for Farming, logging and aquacultureDisability Rights Maine: Telecommunications Equipment & AT for Deaf/BlindPine Tree Society: AT for CommunicationC.A.R.E.S., Inc.: AT Demo & LoanmPower Loan Program: Lending money to buy ATMaine Center for Integrated Rehab: AT Assessment & OT ServicesMaine Assistive Technology Solutions: AT Assessment & ConsultingGallant Therapy Services: OT ServicesAT Practitioners: ATP Certified by RESNAOccupational TherapistsPhysical TherapistsSpeech Language PathologistsLocal Durable Medical Equipment Vendors and : Reuse ReferencesThe following web sites were used to gather statistics and some content in this presentation:Alzheimer’s Association: Alzheimer’s Society UK: .ukThank You!Kelley S. Smith, COTA/L, ATPMaine Assistive Technology Solutionskelleysmithatp@207-321-1015 ................
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