By Jayne Connery FRSA, Director and Founder, Care Campaign for the Vulnerable (CCFTV)
Complex dementia care has always been a subject close to my heart. It is the reason I founded Care Campaign for the Vulnerable over a decade ago and remains one of the most important conversations taking place across our sector today.
Through both my personal experience caring for my mother, who lived with vascular dementia, and through supporting thousands of families across the UK, I have seen first-hand the challenges faced by care teams supporting people with complex needs. Distressed behaviours, falls, sleep disturbance, wandering, anxiety, aggression, communication difficulties and declining mobility all place enormous demands on those providing care.
The reality is that caring for somebody living with complex dementia requires skill, patience, compassion and constant vigilance. It is one of the most demanding roles in health and social care.
What has particularly heartened me over recent years is the number of technology companies now approaching Care Campaign for the Vulnerable to share the innovations they are developing to support residents, families and frontline staff.
The pace of innovation within the sector is remarkable.
Today, technology extends far beyond traditional nurse call systems. We are seeing acoustic monitoring solutions that can identify signs of distress without intruding on privacy. We are seeing intelligent sensor technology capable of identifying changes in movement patterns which may indicate illness, infection or increased falls risk. We are seeing systems that support sleep monitoring, hydration management and improved communication between care teams and families.
Importantly, the best technology is not designed to replace human care. – it is designed to support it.
CCFTV are strong advocates for technology that helps care staff deliver safer and more person-centred care. We know there is no substitute for a compassionate carer holding someone’s hand, offering reassurance or understanding the unique life story of the person they support. Technology cannot replace that human connection.
What it can do is provide another layer of support.
For example, in dementia care, incidents often occur unwitnessed. A resident may fall during the night, become distressed in their room, or experience a sudden deterioration in health. Technology can help identify concerns earlier, enabling staff to intervene more quickly and potentially prevent a situation from escalating.
It can also provide valuable reassurance to families who often carry significant anxiety after placing a loved one into care.
Many relatives tell us they worry most about the moments they cannot see. They worry about whether their loved one is comfortable, whether they are safe and whether help will arrive when it is needed. Appropriate technology, implemented ethically and with consent, can help build trust and confidence between providers and families.
Another encouraging development is the increasing focus on technologies specifically designed around dementia. More companies are recognising that dementia care cannot be approached in the same way as general residential care. Solutions are now being developed that consider sensory needs, behavioural changes, cognitive impairment and the unique risks associated with complex dementia.
As a safety in dementia care organisation championing technology in care including choice led safety monitoring , we welcome the opportunity to engage with innovators who share our vision of safer, more transparent care. We are often approached by technology providers seeking our feedback because of our unique position supporting families while also working closely with care providers across the country.
This allows us to ask important questions. Does the technology genuinely improve outcomes? Does it support dignity? Does it assist staff rather than burden them? Does it promote independence wherever possible?
These are the questions that matter.
The future of dementia care will undoubtedly involve greater use of technology, but success will depend on maintaining the right balance. Technology should never become a substitute for human compassion. Instead, it should empower carers, enhance safety, strengthen communication and support better decision-making.
I am genuinely encouraged by the innovation taking place across our sector. Every week I speak with organisations developing new solutions aimed at improving the lives of some of our most vulnerable citizens.
For those of us passionate about complex dementia care, that can only be a positive step forward.
When technology and compassionate care work together, we create environments where residents are safer, staff feel more supported, and families have greater peace of mind. Ultimately, that is what good dementia care should always strive to achieve.
