Local assistive technology charity Designability have been awarded £30,000, to support people living with dementia and their carers to access technology that could improve their lives.
Designability have been working with the Royal United Hospital in Bath to set up a Technology Gallery, showcasing a range of products to patients, carers and staff.
People are able to arrange a free appointment to see products in action and receive guidance on what might be able to help in the home.
The funding, awarded by St John’s Foundation, will be used over the next three years to enable Designability to reach even more people who could benefit from products that have been designed to make life easier.
Dr Christopher Dyer, Consultant Geriatrician at the Royal United Hospital, is in full support of the gallery: “The Technology Gallery has proved to be of great assistance to those patients and carers at the hospital who have had challenges in practical aspects of management of dementia.
“Claire Raven, the Technology Advisor, regularly attends ward meetings and with our Occupational Therapists identifies individuals who may need practical demonstrations and advice.
“This has proven beneficial when supporting patients with more complex needs to be discharged home. The service compliments the work of our core hospital teams. I am most grateful for all the support and donations that have been provided to enable to the Technology Gallery to continue.”
Claire Raven, Technology Advisor at the Technology Gallery, said: “There is now a wide range of technologies available to help people with early dementia to live independently at home.
“The challenge we face is that so many people are unaware of these products, or are unsure of how they work.
“The gallery acts as an information point to explain what options are available and demonstrates how they can suit their particular needs.
“We are so incredibly grateful to St John’s Foundation for recognising the importance of this service and supporting us to get more useful assistive technology in people’s homes.”
The Technology Gallery is open every Wednesday, 8am – 4pm and is based at the RUH in Bath. Visits are by appointment only.
If you would like to find out more, make an appointment, or have a general product enquiry, call Claire Raven, technology demonstrator, on 07798 676994 or email [email protected].