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Assistive technology can be any piece of equipment, software, or product system that can be used by people with disabilities to increase, maintain, or improve their daily functioning. There are many well known examples of assistive technology, such as hearing aids, pill reminders, and telephones with large buttons. There are also newer technologies being created every day and used by people with and without disabilities, such as camera doorbells, voice alerts, and smoke detectors.

Assistive technology for Dementia patients is anything that helps retain memory and improve daily function. Examples include automatic pill dispensers, digital clocks and calendars, door alarms, and appliance cut offs.Many of these devices also work as mechanisms to keep Dementia patients who live independently safe from household dangers.

The 4 Rs of Dementia care refer to a series of strategies caregivers can use when facing difficult behavior from their loved one with Dementia in order to manage the behavior and improve communication. The 4 Rs are:

• Reassurance – Dementia patients often have many fears and anxiety. Reassure them by validating their fears and telling them they are safe. This language coupled with calming tones and gentle touch can calm their fear and anxiety.
• Reconsider – When your loved one shows defiance, remind yourself that this is due to their cognitive decline rather than resentment or another emotion. Therefore, as a competent caregiver, you need to reconsider, or shift your perspective, to finding out the root cause of the defiance, such as pain or confusion, in order to help them best
• Redirect – If the behavior begins to escalate toward confrontation, shift their attention towards something else, such a new activity, different topic, or something you know is calming or enjoyable for them.
• Relax – As caregiver, you need to remain relaxed and regulated, even when your loved one is agitated and upset. Keeping your own emotions in check, however difficult that might be, will help de-escalate the situation and prevent a crisis.