How can Dementia and Alzheimer’s clocks help patients?
It is important that patients suffering with dementia or Alzheimer’s have structure, routine and predictability in their lives to offer them some comfort and security.
When they lose the ability to recognise the time of day, the day of the week or even whether it is day or night, they can panic and feel anxious.
Specially designed clocks for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients can help return that sense of structure so that they can regain some of what they have lost. It also benefits caregivers as they no longer need to keep repeating the day or time over and over again.
What are Dementia clocks and Alzheimer’s clocks?
They are specially designed clocks for people with dementia, Alzheimer’s or memory loss. As dementia progresses, time-telling skills usually decline and are often lost completely. This could lead a person with dementia to become even more confused, agitated and anxious.
They can help them keep track of the current time and date, and day of the week. They usually have a traditional, easy-to-read display on a round face, and clearly show whether it is night or day. Some also include the day, date and year.
A relatively simple technology such as a Dementia or Alzheimer’s Clock, can make home life more peaceful for patients and caregivers alike.
Benefits of Dementia Day Clocks
Dementia sufferers often lose the ability to recognise what time it is and even whether it’s day or night which causes them a lot of confusion and anxiety.
By placing large numbered Dementia Day Clocks around the house they will be able to see the time clearly, whether its morning, afternoon or evening and the day and month. This could help ease the worry of missing an appointment, meal time or even their favourite TV programme.
It is also useful to have clocks that indicate day and night during times of the year when light changes earlier or later than usual.
Benefits of Digital Day Dementia Clocks
These day clocks display reminders such as appointments, when to take medication and meal times, alongside photos, videos, or audio recordings. They are great for people that are starting to live with memory loss.
For example, you can set audio reminders to take medication at a certain time, or even to remind the patient to turn the cooker off. You can also display photos and videos of loved ones.
Click here to see a range of the latest digital calendar clocks.
Benefits of Dementia Clocks during the night
Dementia can affect sleep patterns, which means people with the condition may wake up often during the night. If they wake up and are feeling disorientated, it can be useful to have a clock that clearly shows whether it’s 2am or 2pm.
For example the dementia friendly clock would show a sun and light blue sky when it’s daytime, which would then rotate to a moon, stars and dark blue sky when it’s night time. This would help to prevent confusion in people who are waking up in the middle of the night.
Click here to see a range of the latest night time digital calendar clocks.
Tips for choosing the right type of dementia friendly clock
If you are in the early stages of dementia
Those in the earlier stages of dementia may still be able to read a clock face, but need one that is clearly marked with all the numbers, as well as the day, month, and year.
A digital calendar day date clock could therefore be useful as they clearly show whether it is am or pm (or operate on a 24-hour clock mode) as well as the time and date, month and year. Some also have a digital alarm clock to help ensure that any medication is taken.
Day and night clocks may be suitable for people in the early stages of dementia. By recognising when it is day and night it may encourage patients who tend to wake up and wander around in the night to stay in bed and go back to sleep.
If you are in the mid to late stages of dementia
A person in the mid and later stages of dementia may struggle to read a clock face. It would then be better to choose a simple clock that states the day and what part of the day – morning, afternoon, evening and night – they’re in.
Bear in mind that people react differently to different products. What might suit one person might not suit another.
For example, whilst one person may find it useful to have a recorded message reminding them to take their medication, others may find it confusing. It is important to choose a product that suits the individual and their situation.
Where can you buy a Dementia day clock
In our experience, one of the cheapest places to buy these types of clocks is Amazon.
Click here and you will go directly to the relevant page on the site.