technology
“ Technology can help carers identify the presence and quantify the severity of pain in those living with dementia .
Tech support
How digital care systems can help provide better dementia care .
By Tammy Sherwood
It is estimated there could be as many as 472,000 Australians living with dementia . Without a medical breakthrough , this number is expected to increase to 590,000 by 2028 and 1,076,000 by 2058 .
With this figure growing year-onyear , residential aged care settings must continuously adapt to ensure they can carry out the proper care required for people with the condition .
Thankfully , advancements in technology have so much to offer people living with dementia and their carers , from access to information and advice to software that helps detect discomfort in non-verbal communication . When used sensitively and thoughtfully , this technology enhances rather than replaces human relationships and interactions and enables staff to provide more responsive and personalised dementia care . In turn , this improves residents ’ quality of life .
For example , agile and innovative digital clinical documentation systems designed specifically for the care sector have become more widely available in recent times , and are growing in popularity as care homes transition from the previous paper-based models . These are incredibly effective at fostering safe , comfortable environments for people living with any form of dementia .
Incorporating profile-building software , digital clinical documentation systems improve the quality of information on a person ’ s life , which is vital for providing care that focuses on each person as an individual . By empowering staff with details on a resident ’ s life story , likes and dislikes , they can draw upon it in crucial situations to help someone with dementia .
For example , if a resident with dementia is showing signs of distress , there are digital tools that can provide information such as that person ’ s favourite poem . This can be used to help calm them and to aid with reminiscing ; a core focus for someone with dementia .
With the use of technology , it is also increasingly possible for carers to interact with residents with dementia without needing to extract information from them . This can be an uncomfortable experience and even more daunting for the resident if they don ’ t recognise the face in front of them . A simple click and scroll on a handheld device can show carers what a dementia resident ’ s routine is , what they like to talk about and what makes them feel better if they are anxious or upset . Interactions naturally become easier and more interactive for both parties , and friendships can be formed and fostered through trust .
Software that enables carers to identify , monitor and reduce pain in residents is helping aged care homes deliver better dementia care , too . Able to detect and measure involuntary micro-facial expressions typically associated with pain , technology can help carers identify the presence and quantify the severity of pain in those living with dementia .
Given that people with dementia often struggle to verbalise their thoughts and feelings , the value of these technologies , which make it possible for carers to intervene and reduce pain in its early stages , cannot be underestimated .
Having a wealth of information at your fingertips that can improve someone ’ s quality of life is a remarkable thing , and not too long ago was unachievable . Now , we live in a world where technology is integrated into everything around us and can be used to enhance the mental and physical wellbeing of others .
There is a reason so many care providers are digitalising their care environments – they understand that care technology is built to help and support the caregiver and receiver at a rate never achieved before . They are also seeing that digital clinical documentation systems , which focus on each resident and their individual goals or wishes , encourages a more personcentred approach to care delivery , rather than focussing on the funding aspect , which is not person-centred at all .
As cases of dementia continue to rise , so does our understanding and capability to cope with the growing numbers through the utilisation of user-friendly , personcentred technology . Profile-building software allows carers to delve into the lives of the person sitting in front of them , and that is special . ■
Tammy Sherwood is the CEO of Person Centred Software Australia .
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