An Analysis of the Need For Aid Tools in Dementia Patients: Focusing on the Normal Elderly, Dementia Patients, and Caregivers of Dementia Patients

The purpose of this study was analyze the subjects to understand dementia patients’ level of need for aid tools that affect their daily activities, safety management, and cognitive function.

The current study recruited subjects through a community welfare center for the elderly. Fifty-seven normal elderly, thirteen dementia patients, and fifteen caregivers of dementia patients agreed to participate in the study. We were provided with explanations of each item and invited to ask questions. The questionnaires consisted of personal information, general health states, and supportive needs (daily life, safety management, cognitive function). The collected data underwent statistical processing using SPSS.

The first analysis was regarding the difference in preference for daily activity aids among the normal elderly, dementia patients, and caregivers of dementia patient groups. The normal elderly and dementia patients mostly preferred the automatic dispenser; however, the caregiver group displayed the highest preference for the medication calendar. In the area regarding tools for safety management, the night sensor was the most preferred in the three groups. In terms of aid tools for cognitive activities, the normal elderly mostly preferred the alarm clock, dementia patients selected the artificial intelligence speaker, and the caregivers chose the large-sized calendar and notebook.

Instead of providing aids without conditions, they should be offered according to the level of need experienced by beneficiary. Also, systematic service of specialist will be required for the process.