03/05/2021
Dementia is an umbrella term that involves a group of disorders caused by abnormal brain changes. These changes trigger a decline in cognitive abilities, impairing patients’ daily life and independent function. Dementia can also affect behaviour, feelings, and relationships. While medications can temporarily improve the symptoms, there is no definite cure for dementia. Different types of therapy, activities, and support are just as important as medication to help patients and their care providers live with dementia.
Current non-drug treatment methods
Symptoms and behavioural problems caused by dementia may be treated with non-drug approaches, therapy in particular. For example,
1. Cognitive stimulation therapy
Also known as CST, cognitive stimulation therapy helps people suffering from mild to moderate dementia. This therapy involves participating in exercises and group activities that can improve aspects like problem-solving skills, memory, and language ability.
2. Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy can teach dementia patients coping behaviours and help to make their homes safer while preparing them to deal with the progression of the disease.
3. Reminiscence
Reminiscence involves reminiscing about events and things from the past, especially using props like photos and treasured mementoes.
In addition, methods like modifying the patient’s environment, breaking down tasks into smaller and easier tasks, and compiling photos, notes, and keepsakes from the past as a book can help patients battle with dementia. Some of these approaches can be combined for a more successful treatment method. Research has proved that these approaches can improve patients’ well-being.
Technology-based treatment methods for dementia
We live in the era of technology, and many companies have introduced various technology-based innovations to cope with dementia. Some of these involve communication aids, tracking devices, clocks designed for dementia patients, home care robots, and home-monitoring devices. Software and apps specially designed to cope with dementia take a prominent place among these innovations.
There are several apps and software programs designed to help with the symptoms of dementia. Some of these include:
1. Greymatters: Reaching Beyond Dementia – This is a digital scrapbook that contains pictures, music, and games. Through this app, care providers can create a personalized storybook with photos accompanied by text or voice narration to help evoke memories.
2. My Reef 3D – This animated app is designed for patients with dementia in advanced stages. In this app, users can create an aquarium with a variety of colourful fish. They can feed and take care of their virtual pets or simply play around with them.
3. MindMate – A leading app for healthy ageing, MindMate contains various activities for the aged and their caregivers. For dementia patients, it includes physical and mental workouts like puzzles and simple stretches, as well as nutritional tips.
Dementia Emergency – This app provides guidance for family members, care providers and emergency personnel on how to communicate with patients with dementia in emergency situations.
4. Iridis - Iridis is an app that helps people arrange their homes to make them dementia-friendly. It gives guidance on furniture to buy, lighting to use, improving the colour contrast, and reducing unnecessary noise.
5. Timeless – This is a simple and easy to use app for patients to remember events and to recognize people through AI-based facial recognition technology. It helps patients to stay connected with their friends and family.
6. COSMA - COSMA is a personalized brain stimulation gamification app that deals with not only symptoms of dementia but also use the science of neuroplasticity to help dementia patients retain more cognitive processes.
How does COSMA differ from other apps and software in the market?
COSMA is different from other dementia-targeted apps in a number of ways. First and foremost, it is based on the scientific premise of neuroplasticity and is currently undergoing clinical validation to identify its full potential in dealing with dementia. A few of its other unique features include:
• 10 distinctive modules with over 30 interactive activities that allow users to stimulate their with personalization factors including upload their own photos, songs and more
• Behavioural assessments, daily reminders, video call functions, and medicine tracking.
• Personalized reports based on each patient’s skills and responses in the activities
• App access to family members and caregivers so that they can check the progress of their loved one
COSMA is not just a gaming app designed for dementia – it’s a therapy service created to bring cognitive, emotional, and spiritual well-being to people living with dementia.
