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Living aids and assistive technology for a person with dementia

  • Last updated: October 2026

Dementia often has a significant impact on a person’s daily life, including how they function within their own home. However, a wide range of products are available to help people with dementia live more independently and stay safe at home. Our Admiral Nurses can help with finding the right living aids for a person with dementia.

What are dementia living aids and how do they help?

Dementia living aids include equipment, adaptations and technologies to help people with dementia carry out daily activities more easily. Living aids can also be called ‘assistive technologies’. This phrase does not just refer to electronic devices, equipment or machines, but to a range of products to support people in their everyday lives.

Living aids and assistive technologies can help:

  • reduce frustration caused by not being able to carry out certain tasks
  • help the person with dementia remain independent for as long as possible
  • reduce the risk of falls, accidents and injuries
  • relieve families of some of their worries about the person’s safety and ability to cope, leading to a better quality of
  • life for everyone

How living aids can help a person with dementia live independently

Living aids and assistive technologies can help a person with dementia carry out everyday tasks they might find difficult, without relying on another person to help them. For example:

  • A ‘rise and recline’ chair could let a person get up on their own, without needing someone to help them up
  • A screen reader could help a person understand text on a computer, tablet or smartphone, without needing someone to read it out for them
  • Voice alerts can remind a person living alone to do daily tasks like switching lights on and off

Examples of aids for everyday life

Different living aids suit different people, so consider what the person is finding difficult first and then look at possible aids or adaptations. These are some of the assistive technologies that people with dementia might find helpful.

  • Voice alerts/voice recognition technology such as smartphone apps and smart devices like Alexa, which can be used to set reminders, turn lights on and off, play music, look up the weather forecast etc
  • Universal remote controls with fewer buttons
  • Telephones with large buttons and speed dial functions for the person’s most important contacts
  • Rise and recline chairs to help the person sit and stand more easily
  • A camera doorbell to show the person who is at the door; some allow another person, such as a family member, to view the images on their phone for extra security
  • Simplified technology designed for accessibility, for example, one-button tablets
  • Screen readers that read out text on computers, smartphones and tablets – these are often built into the device and can be helpful for people who have difficulty reading due to problems with vision or comprehension, and those who find it hard to navigate technology
  • Smoke alarms, heat detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. These are essential for everyone. Smoke alarms should be fitted in areas such as the lounge, bedrooms, hallway and landing. A heat detector should be fitted in the kitchen – these are triggered by heat from fires but not cooking fumes. Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed on every floor of the home. Make sure you test them at least monthly
  • Mobility aids like stairlifts and grab rails

Kitchen aids

People with dementia may struggle to carry out kitchen tasks. This can affect their ability to eat and drink properly and can increase the risk of accident or injury. These assistive technologies for the kitchen may help:

  • kitchen utensils such as jar-opening tools
  • kettle tippers to make pouring easier
  • adapted cutlery for people who struggle to use normal cutlery, making it difficult to eat independently
  • non-slip chopping boards and place mats
  • non-spill cups
  • gas safety valves for gas ovens and hobs – these devices ensure the gas isn’t left on or switched on accidentally
  • ‘perching stools’ that the person can sit on when doing kitchen tasks like cooking, washing up and ironing

Bedroom aids

Living aids for the bedroom can help people with getting in and out of bed, dressing and staying safe if they get up in the night. They include:

  • slide sheets to make it easier to turn over in bed
  • adjustable beds, similar to hospital beds, to help people with mobility problems get in and out of bed
  • products to help with personal care and dressing, for example, zip pulls
  • tools to help with putting on socks, tights and shoes, such as extendable shoe horns
  • adaptive clothing to make dressing, undressing and using the toilet easier, eg clothing with Velcro rather than buttons
  • portable lights and nightlights to help the person see if they move around at night – battery-operated motion
  • sensor lights are inexpensive and can be attached to walls or ceilings with Velcro or sticky pads

Bathroom aids

Bathroom aids can support a person with dementia to carry out personal hygiene tasks, use the toilet independently and stay safe in the bathroom. A person with dementia might benefit from:

  • toileting aids like raised toilet seats, commodes and portable urinals for night-time use
  • ‘smart toilets’ that incorporate a washer and dryer to help with personal hygiene
  • overflow plugs – these automatically drain water from the sink or bath when it reaches a certain level, preventing flooding. Many also change colour to indicate when the water is too hot
  • bath and shower aids like shower seats, bath lifts and grab rails

Aids for outside the home

These aids may help the person you care for stay safe and comfortable when out of the house.

  • turntable car seat cushions to help them get into and out of the car if they are less mobile
  • movement-activated outdoor lighting
  • smartphone apps like Flush (Apple and Android) and Toilet Finder to locate the nearest public toilets
  • Radar keys that give access to locked public disabled toilets (the National Key Scheme)
  • GPS trackers to allow you to locate the person with dementia if they get lost or go missing outside the home, such as watches, key fobs and shoe insoles
  • key safes with a code that can be given to trusted people so they can enter the person’s home if necessary
  • wristbands, lanyards, key fobs and other devices, such as Lumiio wristbands, that electronically store information
  • about the person. These can be scanned by the emergency services to see their personal details and medical
  • information if necessary
  • smartphone apps like Life360 and Apple’s Find My that let you see where someone is if they are carrying their mobile phone

Medication aids

Taking medication at the correct time and dose is very important. These aids can help a person with dementia take the right medication at the right time.

  • Pill organisers show the day and time that each medication should be taken. You can buy these from a shop, chemist or online and fill them yourself. Some can be programmed to open automatically
  • Chemists may offer a pre-filled dosette box, often called a ‘Nomad’ box. These have small compartments that separate medications into the correct day and time for each dose. They may also offer a ‘carousel’ version that bleeps and empties the medication onto a tray, usually at an extra cost
  • Smart devices and apps can be programmed to remind the person with dementia when they need to take their medication

If the person lives with diabetes, there is a range of products to help with monitoring blood sugar and dispensing medication. Read our information on assistive technology for people with diabetes and dementia.

Video call technologies

Assistive technology can help people with dementia maintain contact with people if they live alone, although this equipment can be expensive. For example, CallGenie allows you to video call someone through the TV. It automatically switches on the TV and connects to the call without the person needing to press any buttons. This can be a good option for a person who is not comfortable using a smartphone.

My Home Helper is a tablet that has all the traditional features (reminders, calendar, diary etc), but automatically answers incoming video calls.

Lighting and colours

Good lighting and contrasting colours help make the home safer and reduce the risk of falls. For example, getting as much natural light into the home as possible and choosing furniture in contrasting colours to floors and walls. Read our information on making the home safe and comfortable for a person with dementia for more advice.

Memory aids for people with dementia

Dementia can affect a person’s memory, but simple changes around the home can help with managing daily life. Clocks, calendars, signs and labels can help the person with dementia remember where things are kept and keep track of appointments and other occasions.

Clocks, calendars and reminders

You can get clocks especially designed for people with dementia. They have clear displays and provide additional information. For example, as well as the time of day, they might also include the date, day of the week and time of day, such as ‘Thursday afternoon’. You can also get clocks that link with a smartphone app so you can add a note to the clock, like, “Note from Sarah: I have gone to the shop and will be back at 3pm.”

Clocks are also available that read out the time and show or speak reminders for the person, such as reminding them if they have an appointment or when it is time to eat.

Labels and signs for the home

Labels and signs on cupboards and doors can be very helpful for a person with dementia. For example, a toilet sign on the bathroom door makes it easier to find.

Photos on cupboards and drawers can show what is stored inside, such as a picture of cups on the kitchen cupboard. See-through cupboard doors are another good option, as they allow the person to see the contents without needing to open them.

Sticky notes, like Post-It notes, around the home can be useful for reminders, such as a note by the front door saying, ‘Have you got your keys?’ A noticeboard or whiteboard could also be used to list daily and weekly tasks like taking the bins out or charging a mobile phone.

When making signs, keep them clear and simple. Use words alongside an appropriate picture, and make sure both contrast well with the background so they are easy to read. It’s also worth positioning signs slightly lower than you might expect, as some people with dementia tend to look downwards rather than straight ahead.

Communication aids for dementia

There are various tools that can help a person with dementia communicate.

Visual aids and picture boards

Often, people with dementia find it easier to understand visual information than verbal, so pictures could help them communicate. For example, you could show the person pictures of two different meals so they can point to the one they want.

Picture boards or storyboards can help a person with dementia understand a daily routine or the steps in an activity like leaving the house. They can also help family, friends and carers who are looking after the person. For example, a storyboard for getting ready in the morning might show pictures of having a bath or shower, getting dressed, having breakfast, etc.

If possible, work with the person with dementia to put a storyboard together and show them how to use it. You could buy a premade storyboard, or you could make one yourself with pictures from the person’s home, so the steps are even more recognisable.

Hearing aids for people with dementia

Some people with dementia experience hearing loss, especially if they are older. Hearing loss can be difficult to diagnose in a person with dementia, because dementia can also cause problems with processing sounds. But if you suspect the person you care for may have hearing loss, it is important to get them tested, so they can be fitted with a hearing aid if they need it.

Read more about hearing loss and dementia.

Aids for safety and security

Safety is often a concern for the family and friends of a person with dementia. There are various safety and security aids available to help keep the person safe.

Telecare aids

Telecare systems monitor a person’s activity around the home and alert a call centre or nominated family member if they detect anything out of the ordinary. This means help can be arranged.

Telecare systems may help a person with dementia live independently for longer. Some systems send updates directly to families or carers using a smartphone app.

The sections below cover the main types of telecare and safety aid available.

Door and wearable alarms

Door and wearable alarms help keep a person with dementia safe and prevent them going missing by alerting friends, family or carers when they leave the house. Some door alarm sets come with a pager that sounds an alarm if the door opens, and some can send alerts to an app on your phone.

You can also get internet-connected video doorbells (eg Ring doorbells) that send you a notification if someone leaves or approaches the house.

You can also get wearable alarms, for example, in the form of watches that send a GPS signal to an app on your phone. This means you can always see where the person is and can find them quickly if they leave the house.

Bed and fall detection alarms

There are a number of helpful devices that can alert you if a person with dementia has a fall or leaves their bed or chair unexpectedly.

  • Personal alarms: typically worn on a cord or lanyard around the neck, these alert a call centre or a family member’s phone if the person falls, feels unwell or is in difficulty. Some require the person to press a button, while others activate automatically if they detect a fall.
  • Pressure-sensitive floor mats: placed beside the bed, these trigger a wireless alarm if the person falls onto them, alerting a carer straight away.
  • Bed and chair sensor mats: placed under the mattress or on a bed or chair, these send an alert when the person gets up, or if they don’t return within a set time period. Some will also alert you if the person doesn’t get up in the morning.

Home hazard sensors

Sensors are also available to detect flooding, gas or smoke in the home. Depending on the system, they may send an alert to a 24/7 monitoring centre or notify family members or carers directly through an app.

CCTV for people with dementia

There are ethical and legal issues to think about when it comes to using assistive technology like CCTV to keep a person with dementia safe. Installing CCTV in their home may help them stay independent for longer, and enable family and carers to check they are safe. However, it can also be seen as an invasion of privacy.

If possible, the person with dementia should consent to CCTV being installed in their home. If they do not have the capacity to consent, a decision should be made in the person’s best interests if it is necessary for their safety and is the least restrictive option. Read more about mental capacity and decision-making.

If CCTV is used, it should not be placed in areas where personal care happens and any visiting carers should be informed. Any recordings should be stored securely and should not be shared without the consent of the people in the recordings.

How do I introduce new technology to a person with dementia without causing confusion?

Introducing new technology to a person with dementia requires patience and a gradual approach. It’s best to introduce one adaptation or piece of equipment at a time, rather than several at once. This gives the person time to get used to one change before introducing the next.

Choose a calm moment to introduce anything new, and keep your explanation simple and clear. Avoid using technical language and focus on how the living aid will help the person in their daily life.

Repetition and reassurance are key. The person may need to be shown how to use something several times before it feels familiar. Try to make the experience as positive as possible, and do not rush or show frustration if they find it difficult.

If a particular device is causing distress or confusion, it may be worth setting it aside and trying again at a later stage, or looking for a simpler alternative.

Assessments and grants

There are several types of assessment that can identify ways to make independent living easier for a person with dementia.

The needs assessment

This assessment is carried out by Social Services and looks at how the person is managing everyday tasks like washing, dressing and cooking. It is usually conducted face-to-face, but they can be done online, over the phone or by self-assessment. The main purpose is to identify if they need support with their care needs, for example, from a home carer, at a day centre or in a care home. It may also identify home equipment and adaptations that could help. You can find contact details for your local Social Services at gov.uk.

The home assessment

This looks specifically at home adaptations such as ramps, grab rails, stairlifts and walk-in showers. The assessor may also recommend daily living aids and assistive technology.

When you apply for a needs assessment, the form will ask if a home assessment is needed. Alternatively, you can apply for specific equipment separately, without a home assessment.

Occupational therapy (OT) assessment

This is carried out by an occupational therapist and is intended to support people with daily living activities, for example, by suggesting new ways to approach household tasks and recommending equipment that may help. You can ask the person’s GP to refer them. In some cases, if the person is being assessed by a Memory Service, an occupational therapist may be asked to provide further assessment or advice.

Paying for living aids

Many living aids and home adaptations are inexpensive. Often, a simple solution like using a whiteboard for reminders works just as well as a specially designed assistive product. Some changes can be more costly – but there may be financial support to help with these.

Adaptations to the home that cost less than £1,000 each should be paid for by the local council. These might include grab rails, accessible ramps and movement-activated outdoor lighting.

Larger adaptations that cost more than £1,000, such as converting a bathroom to a wet room, will not be funded by the local council, but a grant may be available to contribute to or cover the cost, such as the Disabled Facilities Grant. The person with dementia will need to have an OT assessment before they can be considered for the Disabled Facilities Grant. This should be arranged by social services when you apply.

Grants may also be available from organisations and charities like Independence at Home and some local branches of Age UK. The Home Independence Agency can help you find grants that may be available in your area.
Some mobility aids, such as wheelchairs and toilet aids, may be available to hire from the British Red Cross, and some local councils and memory services loan smaller items like calendar clocks.

People who are registered as disabled or have a long-term health condition may be exempt from paying VAT on assistive technology. This could save up to 20%, so ask the supplier if this is an option.

The carer’s assessment

If you care for a person with dementia, you are eligible for a carer’s assessment to see if you can access financial support, respite care, training and more. Carer’s assessments are arranged by Social Services: find your local team at gov.uk.

Sources of support

Choosing the right dementia aids

Our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses can give you advice about choosing living aids and assistive technology for a person with dementia. Please call our free Helpline on 0800 888 6678 (Monday-Friday 9am-9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm, every day except 25th December), email helpline@dementiauk.org or book a phone or virtual clinic appointment with an Admiral Nurse.

Assessments, funding and support

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