Products for people with dementia and carers

[diablo]

I would really like there to be a clock that is clear to read, and also shows the date and day - and changes automatically each day. Dad really isn't at all sure what day or date it is, and has a clock a bit like this but it has to be changed manually, and how do you know if you've done it or not if you aren't sure what day it is anyway?
Please get one of these made that is cheap enough for ordinary mortals like us to buy, thank you.

I got one which did this from Asda a while back. About £14 IIRC. Don't know if they still do them.

 

[jenniferpa]

Incidentally, several people have obtained a pivotell pill dispenser from their social services department on loan, so before buying anything like that, you should at least check to see if it might be available for free. It is particularly important as often these things are only useful for a limited period of time.

 

[carla16]

I've bought an A4 wipe-clean whiteboard (cheap from stationers) which is brilliant for reminding Mother what day it is and what's happening.

We've tried two different clocks-with-date, and there's still a need: ideally an analogue clock with day, date, month? As we're living with Mother we cope with one which needs to be manually tweaked at the end of 30/28-day months, though I can see that would be a problem for people without a resident carer.

I'd like to find (perhaps could if I looked harder) some sort of a locating device to tag Mother's diary (small pocket size): I've spent hours of my life looking for it (in drawers, under pillow, in pockets, down side of armchair, under anything and everything, up sleeve of jumper...) as she's obsessed with it and gets terribly upset if she can't lay her hand on it. (Tying the pencil to the diary with a string was one inspiration - only one item to lose now, not two!) I think the sort of thing designed for key rings might work, but ideally something just the size of a sticker, with a non-losable gadget to locate it.

Hope this helps. Pam

Hi Pam,

Your suggestions are really relevant and I am in fact looking into these products now. I also sent you a personal message with some links that might be helpful for you.



Best regards,
Carla

 

[carla16]

You know the thing I always wanted but could never find in the UK (they're available in the US) was something to help with phone calls. It probably isn't a good poduct for the shop, but I wanted a box that fit between the phone and the phone jack a bit like a glorified answering machine, but that would intercept a call before the phone rang and ask the person calling to either 1) enter a code which would allow the phone to ring, or 2) leave a message. That way people who know the person can get through but the person doesn't get all those random phone calls (particularly the ones that involve selling stuff). If it allowed me to call in and get the messages that would have been perfect.

Hi Jennifer

I am meeting with a company that blocks calls over the next couple of weeks. Thanks for highlighting this problem.


Carla

 

[carla16]

Mum died 2 years ago but I remember before she went into care and was still at home we had some large posters of a bed, another of a picture of a toilet, another of a bath etc. We had these laminated and stuck to the bathroom and bedroom doors etc. I can still see her looking at these posters and they did seem to help her decide which room was where.

Thank you for sharing this Lornam, we are looking into signage at the moment as we realise this could be really helpful for people with dementia to remember rooms around the house.


Carla

 

[carla16]

Rather like a dog food dispenser but for tablets! My mum has got past this stage now but there was a long phase when an alarm or something that then opened a flap for the relevant tablets would have been wonderful! Just an idea

Hi 3rd generation,

We have a demand for this kind of medical dispenser, and it was mentioned here in the thread where you could buy it online. We are just carefully considering costs at the moment.



Thanks for the suggestion,
Carla

 

[carla16]

The already mentioned items appear to be concentrating on some very useful practical aids. Does the shop already stock educational aids designed to help others to understand and helpfully relate to those who have Alzheimer's Disease? If so, would it be helpful to invite more suggestions on this thread - or, alternatively, would it be helpful to promote such?
stan

At the moment, we do have some publications in our online shop(some produced by Alzheimer's Society) that would help people understand dementia. If you have any other educational resources to suggest, please do not hesitate to get in touch.


Thanks,
Carla

 

[carla16]

When my mum moved into a CH, we bought her a simple to use radio. It only lasted six months, but she needed something very simple to opperate with BIG SIMPLE buttons.

Hi KTG,

We are making available a simple one button radio soon, Thanks for the suggestion!


Carla

 

[carla16]

I am going to sound very critical. On reading this thread I decided to visit the online shop as I am looking for a couple of items needed at home to keep mum safe.

The shop has almost nothing of any use whatsoever in the section that is about daily living. I mean if I want jigsaw puzzles there are plenty of places to get those. If I want to buy a mug with a single handle then I know where to get them. If I want to buy a salt, pepper and vinegar pot I think I would be able to find something actually better than you have in your shop.

So then I thought perhaps there is more and better stuff under partner products. When I looked there the only thing available was travel insurance, and they were highlighting what to do about volcanic ash. Apart from saying they make some contribution to the AS they do not mention AD at all, wouldn't it be a good idea to have a travel insurance company that would provide a decent rate for the elderly or for people suffering AD or other forms of dementia (and I know they aren't all elderly). Could you partner with services that are particularly AD friendly or offer something a bit special??


So sorry, I think your shop is almost completely useless as it is, and I think it is a very good idea to revamp it.

I was looking for a lock that can be opened from the outside to go on the bathroom, mum likes to lock the door but has trouble getting out of the bath, dad had to break the door down recently. We want a lock so that she feels she maintains her dignity. We are also looking for something to help her get out of the bath that is not obtrusive, I would probably have ordered a grab handle for the wall had that been there too.

Pippa

Hi sistermillicent,

Please do not say sorry for being critical as what you voiced out is true as I in fact share your frustration, that is why I put this thread up to ask suggestions and ideas for products. I know we do not have a lot of products on offer at the moment, but we are addressing this, and products would be added over the next couple of months.

The website would also be improved -- we are also working on this.

Hopefully, we would soon be up and running with a range of products that you would find helpful. If you have suggestions or queries, please keep in touch.


Thanks,
Carla

 

[PamD]

Hi KTG,

We are making available a simple one button radio soon, Thanks for the suggestion!


Carla

Yes, please! (And a portable, not just a mains set). Mother wanders around sometimes asking "Why is it getting Radio Wales?", or it's crackling madly, because she's fiddled with the wrong buttons and knocked it away from Radio 4.

And of course the big need is A SIMPLE TELEVISION! (At reasonable cost).

Good luck with it all.

Pam

 

[jenniferpa]

Carla - something I have seen in online US AD shops are door sized posters that are made to look like bookcases etc. The idea is that if you attach it to a door then the person doesn't realize it's a door and thus doesn't try to exit.

 

[danny]

Hi Carla,I think a one stop shop for all helpful things for people with dementia is a good idea.Over the years I have had to search the internet to find many things.

Many of these specialist so called sites selling these items are making a huge profit,I realise the AS will have to cover its costs to run this online business but it would be reassurring to hear that the AS are not out to make a profit out of this much needed market.

 

[jessibee]

I'd also like there to be a gizmo that can be attached to a wallet to keep it securely inside your pocket, but enable you to take it out, and when you have finished with it, it automatically winds itself back in and puts itself back where it was (rather like those dog leads).

Same for the hat, scarf, walking stick.

And maybe a padded house that gives them a cuddle when they fall over then puts them back upright and on thier feet again, or sits them down and gives them a cup of tea.

Then it would be good if there was something that made the person you are looking after gracefully accept the help that is on offer rather than thinking they can manage thank you very much, when they are clearly not...

Now I know I'm getting into the realms of fantasy, and I know what we all really want is a time machine so we can go on visits to before, but the wallet one was for real.

and then I found this: http://www.findonefindall.com/, and althoug hit looks like a joke, and am not going to buy it, not just yet anyway, I thought it might be seriously useful for someone who doesn't lose absolutely everything!

“A test of a people is how it behaves toward the old. It is easy to love children. Even tyrants and dictators make a point of being fond of children. But the affection and care for the old, the incurable, the helpless are the true gold mines of a culture.” Abraham J. Heschel - so there we have it - I am a true gold mine of a culture, albeit rather worn out from it all!

 

[creativesarah]

i wondered if a retractable recoil key ring might help with the lost diary perhaps you could superglue the diary onto it and you then attatch it to your belt, pocket, waistband,just an idea!!

 

[alex]

Sorry I seem to have missed catching up on this thread
Thanks for some great ideas that I’m sure will help me and a lot of other members.

In reply to your question Carla, I will pm where I’ve been buying my items and how much they cost, however, I’m leaving purchasing some items until AS stock them.

One useful item would be printed cards......someone (long time back) mentioned they had cards to hand out explaining “This person has Alzheimer’s Disease” and apologising for anything said or done,.
I know I’ve had a couple of embarrassing moments in supermarkets. It would be nice to hand a card out explaining ..............rather than trying to explain to a cashier why mum was taking things off the conveyor belt into her shopping bag before they were scanned, I tried to explain that mum has Alzheimer’s and gets a little confused...... to which she replied rather loudly “I DO NOT HAVE ALZHEIMERS!!!!! STOP TELLING LIES”

Regards
Alex

 

[alex]

Hi

Some more things that might be useful:

AS Blue Badge Wallet (Thinking of the advertising opportunity )

Night Lights (for those who forget where the light switches are)

Bed Guard

Keep Warm Dish (for those who take a long time to finish a meal, bit like a hot water bottle under the plate £7ish)

Shopping Trolly with a fold down seat (Mine was under £20)

Bed Tray

Soft Transfer Seat - a padded seat with a turntable disc (handy for getting in or out of car and also for helping get in and out of bed.

Elastic Shoe Laces - never need to tie or loosen, good for swollen feet.

Still got my thinking cap on

Alex x

 

[paulineb]

Locator

What we would really like is a gadget to find my dad when he wanders off - he can go miles. There are GPS/SIM devices out there but which is best? Does the Alzheimer's Soc produce/recommend one?

Pauline

 

[jenniferpa]

Pauline I don't think they do, at least at the moment. You could call the society helpline http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents.php?categoryID=200365 as they may have further information.

 

[Alfson]

simple radio

A decent radio with very simple controls? e.g. A single button switches it on already on the station it was on when turned off.

 

[PamD]

I bought a key-finder, but Mother instantly rejected the idea of having this clunky plastic thing attached to her diary. Still, worth a try. At least since I tied the pencil to the diary there's only one thing going missing not two. Pam