A dementia diagnosis and the gradual progression of the disease are life-changing for all concerned. Caring for dementia patients can be challenging at any stage of the disease, but the right products can help.
Losing one’s independence is tough. The best products for dementia patients are simple enough to use and understand for both the patient and caregivers. We’ve compiled a shortlist of dementia tools and products highly recommended by caregivers and older individuals. Their practicality, simplicity, and ability to solve common dementia problems have made a real and measurable difference in the lives of many!
Best Products for Dementia Patients and Caregivers
Dementia tools come in a wide variety. What works best for you will depend on the stage of dementia your loved one is experiencing and the level of independence they still have. For example:
GrandPad
The GrandPad tablet is specially designed for seniors. It combines the features of a tablet and phone into a highly secure device that comes complete with everything needed to stay connected and entertained. The simple navigation features extra-large icons and large-print instructions that are concise and easy to understand. Users can use the touchscreen with their fingers, but it also has a low-resistance stylus that may make it easier to navigate.
Essentially, GrandPad provides everything your loved one needs—and nothing they don’t. Calls, messaging, and video calls through the device are limited to a network of approved contacts, so they’ll never have to deal with nuisance calls, spam, or scammers. GrandPad even has an AI companion app that can carry on a conversation or provide information at the tap of a button. And if there’s ever a need for customer care or to learn how to use a feature, live help is instantly available, 24/7.
For very early-stage dementia, GrandPad is a great tool that will help the patient stay connected and feel more independent. It runs off both Wi-Fi and cellular and comes with a docking station for charging and hands-free use. Pricing is a bit high starting at $95/month on a monthly plan or $780/year on the annual plan. Both the monthly and annual plans include the hardware, monthly service fee including all features..
RecallCue Day Clock
Day clocks are an essential dementia tool, but RecallCue takes it to the next level. RecallCue dementia day clocks offer all the features of a day clock—a large screen, day and night icons, programmable alarms, and reminders. Still, because it’s app-based, it is much more affordable and can be used with your existing tablet.
With RecallCue, anyone who downloads the app can control its features so your loved one can enjoy all the features without the frustration. The basic version of the app is strictly a day clock with a customizable display and light/dark modes.
RecallCue’s Pro subscription is just $7.99 monthly (or $79.99 annually) and adds instant messaging, time and weather displays, two-way video calls, Google calendar integration, and fully programmable alarms and reminders. The ability to program custom alerts is unique to RecallCue, as most day clocks that offer alarms force you to choose from a pre-set list of commands. You can also play music and display photos on the screen. Multiple family members can share the account, and you can set up multiple clocks per account to ensure your loved one has a day clock in every room they frequent.
Day clocks are an indispensable dementia tool that gives caregivers and families peace of mind. RecallCue enhances the day clock experience, engaging the individual in various ways and helping them stay connected to the people they love.
Explore RecallCue today, or sign up for a 7-day free trial.
Zinnia TV
Zinnia is a content provider dedicated to dementia care. It’s common for dementia patients to experience anxiety, stress, and social isolation, and ZinniaTV’s content is designed to address those issues.
Many caregivers struggle to know how to help people with dementia, especially as the disease progresses. 74% of caregivers who use Zinnia TV say that it reduces agitation—and many report that it mitigates their own stress!
Programming covers interests like nature, waterfalls, or depicts activities of daily living to help normalize things they need to do, like drinking water, getting dressed, bathing, eating lunch, brushing their teeth, or getting ready for bed. When watched daily and at regular times, Zinnia videos can successfully help to establish routines that your loved one may otherwise resist.
Zinnia can also help give the caregiver a break by keeping the individual occupied, calming them down, or reminding them of activities they love.
Zinnia is available as an app for most streaming or mobile devices for $6.99 monthly or $69.99 annually. Try it free for 14 days to see how you like it!
A GPS Tracking System
Some dementia patients are prone to wandering, a hazardous and anxiety-inducing habit for all concerned. A GPS device can help to mitigate the stress but choosing the right one can be tricky. There are many wearables on the market, but they won’t work unless the person is actually wearing them.
If the individual is used to wearing a watch, the Theora Care is an excellent choice. It features fall detection, a step tracker, notifications, and instant SOS calls so they can get help when needed. Geofences can be set to trigger an alert if the individual travels outside a defined area. Caregivers can track precise locations through an app, helping early-stage dementia patients retain a level of independence without causing their loved ones any panic.
With a Theora Connect watch on the patient and the Theora Link Pro subscription on the caregiver’s mobile device, everyone will sleep better at night. The app subscription is free with a watch purchase, $247.97 direct from the manufacturer.
Automatic Pill Dispenser
Pill organizers are a super helpful caregiver supply. Automatic pill dispensers add extra features like pre-sorting, timed dosing, alarms, and foolproof dispensing, ensuring patients (and caregivers) don’t miss medication or double-dose.
The EziMedPil can be pre-loaded for up to 28 days, has six dosage rings, and high-capacity compartments that fit up to 24 aspirin-sized tablets. The lid is lockable, and it’s frosted to block unauthorized access. A large-sized digital clock face in the center of the device displays the time, and it’s as easy to program as an alarm clock and will support up to six alarms per day. Though EziMedPil is battery-powered, it will retain its settings even when the batteries run out.
When it’s time to take daily medications, lights flash, an alarm sounds, and the lid shifts to position the drug window over the next dose. Simply open the window, turn the device upside down to dispense, and the alarms will shut off. EziMedPil is an excellent product to help caregivers and their loved ones comply with medication and supplement protocols. Available from Amazon for $69.99, additional pill trays can be purchased separately.
Simple Universal TV Remote
Older individuals may have difficulty navigating devices with small or complex interfaces. The fewer buttons there are, the larger they are, the better! We love this simple Universal Big-Button Remote from EazyMote. It features six large back-lit buttons on a device that fits nicely in the palm of your hand. Volume, channel, mute, and power are the only controls you need anyway, right? And it pairs easily with any TV.
Purchase directly from the manufacturer for $15.95.
Big Button Telephone
Large button phones are easier to use for seniors, but we found one with a few extra-nifty features that are very helpful when caring for dementia patients. The SIMPL Hands-Free-Dial Corded Phone’s large one-inch buttons light up, and the ring flasher alerts incoming calls. Programmable memory buttons can be customized with photos of the person whose number they belong to, so there’s no need to remember speed dial codes or read small print.
Ringer volume and handset volume can be adjusted as needed to accommodate different levels of hearing loss.
SIMPL comes in models with three or six memory-photo buttons, or you can opt for a model with an amplifying switch that allows you to adjust the handset volume. They also offer packages that include an SOS pendant that, when pressed, will trigger a call to your pre-programmed contacts or 911. The system will continue dialing numbers until it gets a response, ensuring your loved one receives the help they need quickly.
Remote Control Finder
And finally, what household doesn’t need an easy way to find things like remote controls, canes, wallets, glasses, or anything your loved one is prone to misplacing? The Jegoteer remote control finder comes with a four-pack of tracking devices and an extra-large button remote control that will “find” trackers within a 120-foot radius.
When the corresponding button is pressed, the device emits a loud beeping sound until you locate the item. Attach trackers to remotes, keyrings, inside wallets, and glass cases, or attach them to mobility devices so they never go astray.
Comes in a pack of four for $18.97 from Amazon.
Bottom Line
Dementia caregivers and their loved ones face challenges every day. Dementia tools and devices like the ones discussed today make caring for dementia patients less stressful and may help them enjoy greater independence, especially in the early stages of dementia.
Through technology, we can protect our loved ones, enable social contact, and keep them engaged, improving the quality of life for patients and carers at a time when they need it most.