Dementia can be a lonely and challenging disease which can isolate nearly half a million people living with dementia from their 1.6 million carers. Innovative technology can provide support and connection by building awareness and empathy.

“We don't have enough carers and we don't have enough time,” says Dementia Australia Business Innovation Manager, Dr. Tanya Petrovich. “AI and other technologies can certainly help with those pressures.”

Dementia Australia’s innovative technology efforts began in 2011 with the brain health-focused BrainyApp. It was downloaded more than 400,000 times and led to BrainTrack app, which is the latest tool for self-monitoring brain function.

“A lot of people know that something's not quite right, but there's a fear about reaching out and getting help. People can now monitor how their cognitive function is going in the privacy of their own home.”

Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia and numbers are increasing as the population ages. Yet it can be difficult to identify the early signs, including for GPs who may be reticent given there is no cure and limited medications to ease symptoms.

But it is technology’s ability to improve the content and the delivery method of aged care dementia training that has been the biggest breakthrough so far.

A day in the life: better care

Enabling EDIE (Educational Dementia Immersive Experience) was launched in 2017 and provides a portable, low-cost way to give carers the experience of living with dementia by wearing virtual reality headsets.

“In a traditional training workshop, you would put up the symptoms of dementia on a whiteboard or projector and people would intellectually understand that it’s memory loss, a visual-spatial issue, that people forget names,” Tanya says.

“But when you bring that whole experience to life, that's creates a totally different understanding. When they take that headset off, you're then speaking to someone who's stood in those shoes for a few minutes.”

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is also now leading to new opportunities. The Ask Annie smartphone app was launched in 2021 to provide aged care workers with access to a library of five-minute “micro lessons” to help build understanding and strengthen care practice. Incorporating AI capabilities into the app will transform it into Ask Annie Anything.

“The thing that we need to remember is what the person most craves is touch and connection with another human being – it’s paramount. However, given the pressures on staffing and the aging population, AI can certainly support the time that you're with someone to make it more effective.”

A holistic approach

Dementia Australia became the unified peak body for people living with dementia, their carers and families.

The organisation now works to improve quality dementia care and timely diagnoses, as well as reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with the dementia.. It is crucial given dementia is chronic disease of the 21st century – numbers are forecast to double by 2054.

However, with increased awareness of the modifiable risk factors, it could be possible to delay or potentially prevent 40 per cent of dementia cases. It will require more funding for dementia research, greater community awareness, and a strategic public health approach to dementia prevention.

Dementia Australia’s technology innovations have been almost entirely supported by philanthropy, and the organisation’s work is supported by several philanthropic trusts managed by Equity Trustees.

If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, please call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 (24 hours, 7 days a week). To support Dementia Australia’s work and make a donation, visit dementia.org.au