My mom with dementia 93 also has vision and hearing issues and needs wheelchair. I got her a Google mini and it has been very beneficial for her she asks the time and date and I feel that it gives her some sense of doing things on her own. Instead of asking me the time etc she can get it herself. Silly maybe but she loves it. It can play music and tell jokes.
I agree about it having limited potential for people who have dementia. They are not likely to learn new skills, so they most likely would not remember to use it or, if they did use it, they might forget the instruction before they can get the task done. My LO would forget where she was going on the way to the dining room, forget what she was doing while making a sandwich or forget if she just took a pill or not. Often, reminder notes don’t work because even if they read, the message it cannot be processed properly.
Keeping a person with dementia amused is challenging. It normally requires direction, because they are not able to stay focused without direction. And, many people who have dementia plead to return to their home, even if they are already there. Is there someone who can directly supervise her in things like coloring, folding clothes, playing music, etc.?
As said earlier, yes if she can learn to use it. My dad has one that I set to give him reminders of activities at his assisted living facility. He used to like it for music but has forgotten it's there. It was great for limited sight because he could get the time, weather, a news update, etc but no longer does that.
Pinkykat, only if she remembers that it's there, what the name is and how to use it. My son got us one for our kitchen, where my 91-yr old mom often cooks. She doesn't really have much cognitive decline but I have a post-it note on it with "ALEXA" written on it. She sometimes forgets that she always has to start by saying the name, and often she rambles her request so Alexa has no idea what she wants. I ofter call it SIRI ;-)
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Keeping a person with dementia amused is challenging. It normally requires direction, because they are not able to stay focused without direction. And, many people who have dementia plead to return to their home, even if they are already there. Is there someone who can directly supervise her in things like coloring, folding clothes, playing music, etc.?
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