Opinion  

We need a considered debate on the use of technology to support patients with dementia, says Neil Hunt

Malcolm Wicks, the science and education minister, prompted a media frenzy when he suggested that satellite technology could be used to track people with dementia. His comments, made to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, sparked debate over whether technology will empower or infringe the rights of people with dementia.

Satellite technology, which uses a global positioning system (GPS) to track the location of an individual, and electronic tagging, which alerts carers when someone moves outside a set boundary, were the two new types of technology at the heart of the controversy.

More independence for those with dementia
The Alzheimer's Society welcomes this debate. Technology has the potential to give people with dementia greater freedom and independence. However, the practical and ethical issues, and the concerns of people with dementia and their carers, needs full consideration.

It is estimated that 40 per cent of people with dementia get lost outside their home and this can be extremely distressing for both the individual and their carer. However, walking in a safe environment is a good source of exercise and can provide valuable time outdoors. Assistive technology could enable people with dementia to enjoy these benefits without the worry of getting lost.

Tracking the movements of a person with dementia with their consent may help reduce the use of physical restraints and sedative drugs, which are still prescribed to up to 45 per cent of people with Alzheimer's disease in care homes. However, we need to ensure that technology both promotes independence and respects a person's human rights. The new Mental Capacity Act will help to do this and reinforces the importance of using the least restrictive option when caring for a person with dementia.

Technology is not a substitute for good-quality care
Therefore, assistive technology should only be considered as part of a comprehensive care package, not as a substitute for good-quality care or as a way to reduce care costs.

Technology may not be suitable for everyone and would need to be used as part of a personalised care package. People with dementia have the right to choose whether they use assistive technology and it is essential that consent is sought. If a person appears to lack capacity, every effort would have to be made to discuss the benefits and risks.

There are many practicalities that still need to be addressed to ensure that assistive walking technology can be used as part of a care package. One of the issues that people with dementia have identified as a potential concern is deception, such as someone hiding the electronic device on them. Further research and consultation with people with dementia is needed to assess the effectiveness of assistive technology and whether it improves quality of life.

The number of people with dementia is rising steadily and will break the one million mark over the next 20 years. A national plan for dementia is long overdue in the UK and assistive technologies should be explored as part of this.

Neil Hunt is chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society. He worked for many years in social care in London and Kent before joining the NSPCC as director of child protection. He was seconded on a wide range of projects before joining the Alzheimer's Society in 2003.