If you think you are having memory problems speak to your GP. There is advice about the health support available on the NHS website, including Dementia symptoms, diagnosis and medicines.
NHS: Dementia guide.
You may also find it useful to give your information to the Police in case you get into any difficulties. This is called the Herbert Protocol. You fill in a form with your personal details, relatives or others to contact in an emergency. The police can later use this information if you are missing and relatives are worried about you. The police can also provide a wristband or tag you wear that holds this personal information. Find out more from our Staying safe - support for adults page.
Staying safe - support for adults.
There are lots of ways you can use equipment to support you with memory problems and Dementia. Here are a few examples of equipment that may help you. There are many national online equipment providers that sell equipment like Boots, Amazon and Lloyds, and many national charities and organisations that specialise in equipment like Age UK and the Alzheimer's Society.
Automatic lighting.
Lights that turn on when they detect motion can be useful in hallways and on stairs, or in main rooms of the house if the person may not think of turning a light on. This can be more important if the person is losing their balance and at risk of a fall. We have detailed advice on Dementia and falls.
Staying steady and independent with Dementia.
Smart devices.
Devices you can talk to and give you answers like the Amazon Echo, Google Home and Apple HomePod can help someone with Dementia, by giving them reminders of activities or taking medication, and controlling other devices in the home like the television, radio, lighting. There are also smart devices that you can attach to important items like keys or a mobile telephone, so if the person cannot find this item they can make the device make a noise to help them find it.
Smart devices have a range of prices from £30 to £100 plus depending on features, size/quality of the speaker, and often you can buy a bundle of the device with smart bulbs and sockets that all work together. Most online retailers like Amazon, Argos, John Lewis have regular offers with reduced prices for these devices. Online deals websites like HotUKdeals and Latestdeals have details of the latest offers.
HotUKdeals: electronic deals and offers.
Latestdeals: smart devices.
Smart clocks and calendars.
It can be useful to have a clock that also displays the day of the week, or the date, or one with a large screen, or one that chimes or speaks the time each hour.
Automated pill dispensers.
This is a device that is pre-filled with medication. At the right time the dispenser allows access the pills the person should take at that time, usually with an alarm function to tell the person. these are pre-filled and locked. When it’s time to take medication, the dispenser sets off an alarm and the right compartment opens so that the person can take the correct pills. Some devices will continue to play the alarm until the pills are taken, and will alert family or a carer if the mediation is not taken.
You can get more advice about Dementia activities, groups and support from our Dementia pages.
Dementia Support in Sheffield.
Dementia Advice Sheffield provides a one-stop shop, first point of contact service to respond to any non-clinical dementia-related query from a person who is living with dementia or their family carer.
Age UK Sheffield: Dementia Advice Sheffield.
Call 0114 250 2875 or email dementiaadvice@ageuksheffield.org.uk.
The Alzheimer’s Society supports people with Dementia, their family and carers, with a telephone support line, online and printed information, expert dementia advisers and an online community.
Alzheimer’s Society: Using technology to help with everyday life.
Helpline: 0333 150 3456.
Dementia Talking Point is the Alzheimer’s Society’s online community where people affected by dementia can receive valuable support from people in similar situations.
Alzheimer's Society: Dementia Talking Point our online community.