Are digital memory boards helpful?

moore3 · April 2

We have been considering purchasing a digital memory board for my parents. Mom is in LTC and Dad in AL. Mom’s memory is starting to fade. Dad has diagnosed ALZ. Thinking it would help with reminders of hair appointments, activities, share photos, etc. But it’s a good investment so wanted to see if anyone has found them to be helpful.

SDianeL · April 3

any aid is temporary. As their short term memory decreases the reminders don’t help. They will need 24/7 care.

H1235 · April 3

As sDianeL said it may work for a while. Eventually, just like sticky notes and a calendar, they will just ignore it. It might even confuse them, not understanding how the message is being changed. Then there is their ability to actually do what is necessary based on the message. They may see and understand they have a doctors appointment today at 2:00, but time is can be difficult for a person with dementia. They may decide to start getting ready at 1:45 with no rush or concern. I find mom has no ability to plan how long it will take to get ready. I think part of it just depends on your loved one. I think it is more likely to be helpful in the early stages.

harshedbuzz · April 3

@moore3

I'm confused. Is this device meant to help mom in LTC or dad with Alz?

IME, no tech device replaces human interaction. Many PWD don't recall the purpose of such items (including the white boards many first-time caregivers try) and consult them. In reality, the prompts don't work and they miss activities/appointments or they trigger perseveration on them often with phone calls to family for reassurance.

I did buy dad a digital picture frame which I loaded with pictures of family and his friends when he was still home with mom. He literally never looked at it unless prompted and even then, it didn't engage him.

YMMV.
HB

lilacgirl · April 3

We haven't tried one of those yet, but I did get one of those "dementia clocks," — tells the day, date, time, time of day — for my mom in December and she has loved it. It has helped her know what day it is to some extent, but I am noticing that it is not helping as much as it used to. She is getting very confused about what day it is and when things are happening. But if it helps for a little while, maybe worth it!

Bowerbird · April 4

When my DH went into Memory Care, I hung up a smaller sized dry erase board on which I printed "Your wife (with my name) loves you very much" and hung a small photo of myself at the top. I would read it to him every time I visited. Within two weeks he threw it away, perhaps due to being bored and puttering around, trying to houseclean. Luckily, he did keep my photo.

So the digital board may not be worth it.

psg712 · April 4

Agree that the digital board is probably not worth the money. If they can't follow a written calendar or white board, technology is not going to be any better. Sadly, all tech loses its usefulness after a while - TV, phone, clocks, computer. If it's new tech, it's not likely they will be able to learn or retain how to use it.

moore3 · April 4

Appreciate all the candid feedback! And makes sense - it’s so hard for them to learn any new kind of tool.

ARIL · April 5

Er…I had to look up “digital memory board” after reading your post. Huh. These must be fairly new. Absolutely not worth the money, IMO, for all the reasons others have said.

For a few years of the early stages I bought my dad a big paper calendar. It worked great—until it didn’t. When he moved into MC I was encouraged by staff to buy a whiteboard. I did. He never once consulted it. Same with the dementia clock (although that is useful for me to point to: “See here? It is 4:00 in the afternoon. Dinner will be in one hour.”). But on the other hand, the digital photo frame is his favorite possession. Go figure.

Are digital memory boards helpful?

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