Basket Choosing the right product
Please read the following information carefully before purchasing a daily living aids product.
Choosing the right product
People react differently to different products. For example, one person
might find it helpful to have a recorded message that plays when they open the
front door, reminding them to take their keys, while another person might find
this confusing. Some people may also be wary of trying new things or find it
difficult to learn new skills. The lines between the different stages of dementia
are also often blurred, so a person in the early stages may not always be able
to manage a product designed for a person in that stage. Choosing
the right product is therefore not always an easy task. The products you
purchase should suit the individual and their situation
Professional advice
The information in the catalogue and on our website should
not be considered medical guidance or professional advice. Before buying
products it is advisable to contact an occupational therapist or GP, or the
local authority social services department. Your local social services
department may be able to supply you with some of the products we sell, so
check with your local office to see whether they can. Even if they can’t
provide the products, the person with dementia may be eligible for a needs
assessment, help in finding the best product or financial assistance.
Helpful tips
• Aim to find solutions that can be integrated into a regular
routine with minimum disruption.
• If buying products for a person with dementia, try to
involve them in decisions about which product or solution to use, and take
their opinions on board.
• There is a higher chance of success if you can introduce
assistive products when dementia is still at an early stage, to gradually get
used to a new way of doing things.
Ethical considerations
Assistive products should enhance and enable independence,
however they do have the potential to produce less positive outcomes. For
example, if a product is misused it may replace human contact with the person
with dementia, or restrict rather than enhance their freedom of movement. Some
people might even find that the very presence of the product reminds them about
their memory problems, which can cause distress.
Deciding together
Importantly, no one should be forced into using a product
if it is not right for them. The person with dementia must be involved in the
decision making and their consent sought and given, where possible. Where it is
not possible to obtain consent, it is vital that those making the decisions do
so in the person’s best interests. The Mental Capacity Act (2005) provides a
legal framework to support decision-making in cases where a person does not
have the capacity to make their own informed decisions.
Always speak to your healthcare professionals before buying
Information on assistive technology
You will find lots of helpful fact sheets on our website, including fact sheets on the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and assistive technology, visit alzheimers.org.uk/factsheets
Information, advice and support
Dementia Connect, our comprehensive online services directory to find support services close to you by simply entering your postcode or location at alzheimers.org.uk/dementiaconnect
Dementia Connect support line, open seven days a week. It provides information, advice and emotional support to anyone affected by dementia. Please call 0333 150 3456 (national rate or less) 9am – 8pm Monday to Wednesday, 9am – 5pm Thursday and Friday, 10am – 4pm at weekends.
Talking Point is our online community where you can ask questions, share experiences and get information and practical tips on living with dementia. It’s free to use, open 24 hours a day and all you need is an internet connection. Visit alzheimers.org.uk/onlineforum
For a range of information about dementia visit alzheimers.org.uk/publications and for videos and podcasts featuring real-life stories visit alzheimers.org.uk/videos
To find out about local services in your area,
visit alzheimers.org.uk/localinfo
The range of assistive products featured in the catalogue and our online shop are featured with no express or implied conditions, endorsements, guarantees, representations, or warranties of any kind by Alzheimer’ Society or Alzheimer’s Trading Ltd. Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Trading Ltd. assume no liability whatsoever, in relation thereto.