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Assistive Technology in Extra Care Housing for
People with Dementia
Eileen Askham - Director of Care Services Fold
Housing Association N.I. and Fold Housing
Association Ireland
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FOLD SERVICES

• SHELTERED HOUSING
• GENERAL NEEDS HOUSING
• SPECIAL NEEDS HOUSING
• e.g. Dementia
• Young Teenage Pregnancies
• Irish Travellers Families
• Homeless Families
• Physical Disability
• After Care Leavers etc.
• SUPPORTED HOUSING (Learning Disabilities)
• A STAYING PUT SERVICE
• TELECARE ( Community Alarm Service)
• DAY CARE SERVICES
• Learning Disabilities
• Frail Elderly / Dementia

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Assistive Technology in Extra Care Housing for
People with Dementia

• Key Objectives
• Key Questions
• Technology In Use
• Practical Examples
• Benefits Of Technology In Dementia Care

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SEVEN OAKSSupported Housing and Day Care
CentreLondonderry
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SEVEN OAKSProvides Accommodation For

• 14 people with mild dementia
• 10 people with moderate dementia
• 6 people with severe dementia
• 5 bungalows for couples
• 20 daily day care places
• Domiciliary Care
• (by Alzheimers Society)
• Offices for Health
• Social Services

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Key Objectives

• Maximise the quality of life for those suffering
  from dementia by providing customised care
  solutions.
• Maximise the efficiency and economy of the use of
  staff resources.
• Assist in managing risk for clients and staff.
• Enable the move from task orientation of staff to
  a greater relationship orientation.

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Key Questions

• Does the use of technology reduce risk?
• Does the use of technology reduce interpersonal
  contact?
• Does the use of technology support care planning?
• Does the technology affect the social
• well-being of residents?
• Does it affect their physical well-being

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Technology in Use

• Wandering Protection
•   Door opening detectors
• Smoke detectors
•   Flood detectors
• Fall detectors
• Cooker/heat detectors etc
• Bed occupancy detector
• Automatic light controls

       
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Practical Examples
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Practical Examples
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Practical Examples
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Practical Examples
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Practical Examples
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Practical Examples
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What Benefits or Assistance Does Technology
Really Offer?

• 10 Key Benefits

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Key Benefits

1. It supports the development of less intrusive
   practice
2. Risks to resident can be reduced
3. Some risks can be pre-empted
4. Staff can work more confidently
5. Staff can focus on quality interventions

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Key Benefits

• Informs care planning enabling person centred
  approach
• Reassures relatives
• Challenges assumptions made about people with
  dementia
• Supports the delivery of quality services
• Drives creativity and innovation

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Assistive Technology in Extra Care Housing for
people with Dementia

• Does it bring genuine benefits?

YES - providing
.the care philosophy drives technology .the
technology does not drive the care philosophy