Healthcare workers and facilitators caring for persons suffering with dementia have expressed their satisfaction with new forms of mobile phone apps which are designed to assist support carers in residential homes to be more creative and reflective in person-centred care for people suffering from dementia.
The apps were developed and evaluated by a City University London research team led by principal investigator, Professor Neil Maiden and partners involved in the EU-funded Mirror Consortium under the 7th Framework Program. Dementia covers a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory and thinking skills that are severe enough to reduce a person's abilities to perform everyday activities.
Professor Maiden said:
"The successful deployment of this innovative care technology represents a new chapter in caring for people afflicted with dementia. We are very pleased with the positive response we have received from carers in the field."
Josephine Perez, a healthcare worker with Nightingale Hammerson said:
"We now have more time [to spend] with the residents unlike before when we had to carry around large folders. You can carry the phone app around with you anywhere. It is practical and convenient."
Culture Change and Practice Development Consultant, Alise Kirtley said:
"These apps can really connect people up and further their quality of care. If we are really serious as a country about providing an excellent standard of dementia care, we need more collaboration and communication. These apps can do that."
Anna Ciejek, a care facilitator with Nightingale Hammerson said:
"In the beginning there was lots of hesitation in coming to terms with the new technology, but now I cannot imagine returning to a paper-based version of daily care notes."
Provided by City University London
