Pete Middleton, a UK resident living in Northamptonshire with his wife, has been an early adopter of technology since his time in the Royal Air Force where he became interested in computing in the 1980s and went on to learn several programming languages. Decades later, after being diagnosed with dementia, Middleton believes that AI could help to bridge the gap for dementia patients. With changes to his short-term memory, the technology enthusiast began to seek out AI-based tools to help with his daily routine. In addition to being involved in Alzheimer’s Society as a volunteer, lived-experience consultant, and committee member, Middleton uses AI to edit photographs, translate text messages, and for research purposes.
AI-based tools like Simon, an app that uses geo-tracking and machine learning, are being beta tested to determine the specific needs of dementia patients and provide notifications that could help. The Florence Project, a long-running program and team based out of the University of Queensland, seeks to support communication technologies for people living with dementia. With the help of personalisation through AI, the project has developed easy-to-use, single-function devices with physical elements like knobs or buttons. The devices’ content can be updated remotely, like a relative updating a playlist on a music player. The team seeks to avoid creating overly complicated devices that patients will not use and includes a Living Experience Expert Panel made up of people living with dementia and their caregivers.
AI-based chatbots are also being integrated into companion robots. Hiro-chan, a faceless, huggable, soft therapy robot, is being developed with speakers, microphones, and incorporated with ChatGPT. In initial tests with care home dementia patients, researchers found that a simpler dialogue than expected would be more effective. That being said, AI should not replace human contact, which is crucial in dementia care but should only enhance care in ways that are beneficial to patients and caregivers.
As a retired programmer and being on The Florence Project’s Living Experience Expert Panel, Dennis Frost points out that social engagement is highly important for those with dementia and suggests an increase in human interaction should be prioritised over increasing AI interaction. Although AI provides an excellent opportunity to enhance dementia care, developers should be careful to create customisable technologies that target specific stages of dementia. Patients with dementia will have different requirements requiring versatility in the technology with which they interact
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