Attachment 5

Responses to the SurveyMonkey for the VISION 2020 UK Dementia Sight Loss Working Group’s Spark Design Project

As of 3 July 2017 there were 6 responses to the VISION 2020 UK Dementia and Sight Loss Spark Design Project Survey.

Q1: Is there anything you would like to do but cannot do?

  • I would like to read smaller text books rather than large print or ebooks
  • Use my Sky remote control - the engineer's advised that 'off the shelf' remotes don't work as effectively, but the 'accessible' Sky remote is very complicated. I used to enjoy the television, but now can't cope with changing the channel, it is very frustrating and often unintentionally switch it off.
  • Go to more age appropriate groups for people diagnosed with dementia under 65
  • I used to read a lot but I find it mentally tiring now.
  • Lots of things. I used to read but I can't see the words anymore. I can still look at these pictures (pointed to book with old photos of local area). I used to draw but I can't. (Me: Why is that?) Because I don't know what's going on on the page anymore.
  • Relative of patient currently in dementia assessment ward: Loads of things, he used to be so independent. Everything really. He used to live independently, get up, washed dressed, take himself out to the shops, all of it. I think this is why he shouts so much, because he gets scared when he can't see and doesn't know what going on.

Q2: What do you struggle with day to day?

  • Cross the road
  • Going for a walk outside I feel very vulnerable on my own. Choosing clothes to wear. Remembering to eat.
  • Appropriate support eg occupation / stimulation as opposed to 'hands-on' care
  • I lose my glasses a lot. I used to have four pairs but I only have one now and I cannot seem to place the others. I don't feel very safe when I do not have my glasses.
  • Well quite a lot. I am unsteady on my feet now.
  • Relative of patient currently in dementia assessment ward: I think mainly personal care - so getting washed and going to the toilet. At one time he could do this independently with prompts but as the vision has got less and less he has needed more help. I think he can still eat on his own if given the food in is hand (staff member confirms this) but isn't as good say with soup where you need to find the bowl to use the spoon and it's easier to spill it if you see what I mean.

Q3: What physical or technological aids are you currently using and why?

  • None
  • I have a telecare service and have bumps on the microwave, and a talking watch. I have a Talking Book speaker, which I enjoy - but could the buttons be in brighter colours.
  • Blister packs from GP. Simpler phone. Aware of other things but not appropriate as yet.
  • I used to wear contact lenses but they made my eyes weepy and I was forgetting to take them out so now I wear glasses (Staff at care home: We have large print clocks with the time and date on them)
  • None really. I had a walking frame to help with my walking but that's about it. (Staff at care home: We have large print clocks with the time and date on them)
  • Relative of patient currently in dementia assessment ward: He used to have the large print letters from the doctors but I think it is difficult for him to read at all now. He still enjoys listening to music. We bought him one of those Forget Me Not radios for people with dementia. They only have the one button to change the song and a flap for 'on and off'. That was great because he loves his music so much (Staff member: He will still have a dance now). Yeah and I think as long as staff put it on for him he is quite happy but he doesn't seem able to turn it on and off and use the swap button now. Oh and as daft as it sounds - his hat! (patient wears a hard hat that looks like a normal cap. This is because he was bumping in to walls and bruising his head and becoming more angry).

Q4: What gaps are there in the available technology?

  • Respondent skipped this question
  • Shower shelving and bright bottles for shampoo / soap that are easy to grip in the wet. Some shelves are clear plastic and I can't see them easily on my shower wall.
  • Respondent skipped this question
  • No suggestions. (Staff from care home: It would be good if they could make talking books that people with dementia were able to listen to. They would have to be very short to keep their attention and they wouldn't be for everyone but it would be worth a try.)
  • No suggestions. (Staff from care home: It would be good if they could make talking books that people with dementia were able to listen to. They would have to be very short to keep their attention and they wouldn't be for everyone but it would be worth a try.)
  • Relative of patient currently in dementia assessment ward: That's a tough one. I think it's hard to think about what doesn't already exist. I have thought about those earphone, the ones that go over the ears and are good at drowning out background noise. Maybe he could wear those to listen to his music but I worry if he wouldn't know how to take them off would he end up with them on all day. Perhaps more books with feely type items in - you know wool, leather etc. Especially because a lot of people worked in factories.

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