The first UK library to allow people with dementia to try out technology products at home celebrated its birthday with a visit from the Mayor of Bath, Councillor Malcolm Lees.
The Memory Technology Library is an innovative scheme which uses technology to help people maintain their daily routine.
Since it began 12 months ago, it has loaned out 350 simple products which can make life easier for those living with memory loss and research found that 70 per cent of those using the library had been helped to achieve their goals.
They focused on time and place orientation, prompts and reminders and reassurance.
Items ranged from a Talking Tile giving simple instructions to remind someone how to complete a day-to-day activity to a day/night orientation clock helping people maintain their daily routine.
The project was led by Sirona Care & Health, with support from Designability (Bath Institute of Medical Engineering) and the Therapeutic Media Company and had a purpose built website www.memorytechnologylibrary.co.uk which features people using the products.
Nina Evans, Designability Project Lead said: “This has been really effective in promoting awareness and understanding of the technology and has been a significant factor in the success of the project”.
Julie Sharma, Sirona Business Development Lead, said: “It is often the small things that can make a huge difference and this library has certainly helped those who are experiencing memory loss and their carers.
“The library team and voluntary partners have done a great job of getting the products out into the community. We now have good evidence of the effectiveness of these quite simple technologies are very pleased that the Clinical Commissioning Group have agreed to funding the service next year.
“This will enable us to reach even more people and support them in choosing the right products for them and their loved ones”
Dr Nigel Harris, Director of Designability, concluded: “This has been a real team effort and we are really pleased to have worked with Sirona and all the library partners on a project that has made such a difference to people with dementia and their carers.
“Designability is nationally recognised for its innovative work in dementia and this has been a great opportunity to use our knowledge to help people living in our local area.’
