START DATE AND DURATION: May 2021Social care workers, advocacy groups and consumer organisations routinely recommend Assistive Technology’ (AT), for example bath seats, stair rails, and pendant alarms, for people with dementia and their carers to help them to live independently. However, we do not know much about how AT ‘works’ to help people to live independently with dementia over time.
The Improving the Experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) study followed British people living with dementia and their carers over several years. We will analyse IDEAL data to investigate how well the home environment fits, or can be adapted to fit, the needs and preferences of people living with dementia and their carers.
An advisory board of people living with dementia, carers, and social care experts such as occupational therapists (OTs) will help us to identify questions on assistive technology and independent living, and be involved in shaping the project.
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