Innovative projects - technology and people
with dementia
People with dementia and computers – a successful
project
completed
In November 2007, Innovations in Dementia and Dementia
Voice-Housing 21 received funding from the NESTA Mental Health Innovation
challenge to run a project around computer use.
Two projects were run at day centres in London and Manchester.
We trained and supported care staff to increase their skills and confidence
with everyday software such as PowerPoint, Word and Internet Explorer.
The project ended in December 2008, and has shown that people with dementia
can engage in computer work at many different
levels.
The computers were used in activities such as reminiscence
and art, and for making records of activities such as outings and parties.
People with dementia and staff had fun:
- creating artwork,
- searching the internet and using YouTube to find their favourite
songs,
- creating presentations in PowerPoint about their lives or activities
at the day centre,
- and using Word to create cards for friends and relatives.
The project found that the skills and sensitivity of staff are the most
important factor in encouraging people with dementia to use computers.
 Switched
on Communities - using different computer technologies
Innovations in Dementia is part of an interesting project called Switched
on Communities.
The project is run by a charity called AbilityNet. AbilityNet provides
information and advice about how to make computers easier to use for people
with any sort of disability.
You can find out more about AbilityNet at www.abilitynet.org.uk
or you can telephone them on 0800 269545.
Different equipment for different people
The Switched on Communities project allowed us to let people with dementia
try out different types of equipment. We worked with people at the Tresham
Housing21 day centre in Westminster and the computer club at the Hounslow
branch of the Alzheimer’s Society.
People are surprised about the choice of equipment that is available.
People with dementia at Innovation Live event
Innovation Live took place at the QEII Conference Centre in London on
12 November 2008. The event was attended by around 500 people from within
the NHS and from external organisations interested in
transforming healthcare.
The event was jointly run by NESTA and the NHS Institute for Innovation
& Improvement. It was the first event of its kind to take an in-depth
look at exploring and stimulating innovation in health.
Among the exhibitors were three people with dementia supported by three
care workers from Tresham day care centre. The day centre is run by Housing21
and has been part of a project funded by NESTA.
The people with dementia were there to tell delegates about the computer
project that has been running their day centre this year.
Each pair has prepared a presentation using PowerPoint. The presentations
explained how they used the computers at the day centre.
 They
showed how they took pictures of activities such as a baking day and trips.
They used these pictures to make slide shows or write an article for the
day centre newsletter. They also showed how they
used PowerPoint to create life history books and the internet
to search for information and pictures of favourite places. They also
used the internet to search for music from the past.
The delegates were very interested to hear from people with dementia
about how they used the computers. And the staff and people with dementia
enjoyed the day too.
Innovations in Dementia CIC, PO Box 616, Exeter, EX1
9JB
Telephone 01392 420076
Registered as a community interest company No. 06046815.
Find out more about community interest companies
© Innovations in dementia CIC 2008
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