Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. Supports Alzheimer's Technology To Keep People Home And Safe

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 May, 2015 12:45 PM
    VICTORIA — A friendly, familiar face is sometimes all that is needed to prevent an Alzheimer's tragedy.
     
    Technology that seeks to keep Alzheimers' patients safe within their homes is part of a University of Victoria program that helps people with disabilities improve their quality of life.
     
    Health Minister Terry Lake said the so-called wandering deterrent system is one of the innovations being fine tuned as part of the university's CanAssist program, which develops technologies and programs to meet needs not addressed by existing services.
     
    The wandering deterrent system, which should be widely available for British Columbia patients within a year, is able to prevent people from leaving their homes through a series of visual notices posted on screens throughout their home.
     
    "To see your daughter, son or caregiver on a screen reminds you about something when you may be going out at the wrong time of day, I think, provides comfort and confidence to the person so they are more likely to follow instructions," Lake said Monday. "It's unique. It's kind of heart warming to see this."
     
    Screens in the home remind people of the current time using a 24-hour clock and an image of the sun or moon. They also show messages or videos, usually recorded by family members, explaining that it's not safe to be outside at a certain time of day or night.
     
    Alzheimer's Society of B.C. spokesman Jim Mann said the wandering deterrent system is easy to install and operate and may prevent people with Alzheimer's from leaving their homes and becoming lost.
     
    "It is non intrusive," Mann said. "It is right at the door, so if a person does happen to get up in the night ... the message is right there. It could be personal, saying, 'Please don't leave.'"
     
    CanAssist has also helped develop a phone-in monitoring system that allows caregivers and loved ones to check on people with dementia through an attachment to a telephone in a home. It also provides a summary of recent activities at the home, including calls and movements.
     
    The Health Ministry announced $3 million in funding for CanAssist, which the university says is the only program in North America pioneering innovations to help people with disabilities improve their lives.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Woman Charged With Arson After Creston, B.C., Fire Causes Critical Injury

    Woman Charged With Arson After Creston, B.C., Fire Causes Critical Injury
    CRESTON, B.C. — RCMP say a 21-year-old woman has been charged with arson after a person suffered critical burns in an apartment fire in Creston, B.C.

    Woman Charged With Arson After Creston, B.C., Fire Causes Critical Injury

    Victoria The Latest B.C. City To Draft New Bylaws For Marijuana Dispensaries

    Victoria has become the latest British Columbia city to draft new bylaws for medical marijuana dispensaries, as Vancouver considers a plan to regulate illegal pot shops.

    Victoria The Latest B.C. City To Draft New Bylaws For Marijuana Dispensaries

    Alexander Lisi, Rob Ford's Former Driver Found Not Guilty Of All Drug Charges

    TORONTO — Former Toronto mayor Rob Ford's friend Alexander (Sandro) Lisi was found not guilty on drug-related charges Friday after a judge attacked the credibility of an undercover officer who was key to the case.

    Alexander Lisi, Rob Ford's Former Driver Found Not Guilty Of All Drug Charges

    No Prosecution For B.C. Hunting Accident That Claimed Life Of Washington Man

    No Prosecution For B.C. Hunting Accident That Claimed Life Of Washington Man
    HOUSTON, B.C. — Police in northern British Columbia say charges will not be laid over a hunting accident that claimed the life of a 59-year-old U.S. man.

    No Prosecution For B.C. Hunting Accident That Claimed Life Of Washington Man

    Paraglider, 60, Taken To Hospital After Plunging Down Victoria Cliff

    Paraglider, 60, Taken To Hospital After Plunging Down Victoria Cliff
    Victoria Fire Department Batallion Chief Bob Jones says the 60-year-old man was flying with a group when he was struck by a down draft at about 8 p.m.

    Paraglider, 60, Taken To Hospital After Plunging Down Victoria Cliff

    Canada Loses 19,700 Jobs In April, Unemployment Rate Sticks At 6.8%

    Canada Loses 19,700 Jobs In April, Unemployment Rate Sticks At 6.8%
    OTTAWA — The Canadian economy lost 19,700 net jobs last month as the headline number in the latest labour-market data came in lower than economists' expectations.

    Canada Loses 19,700 Jobs In April, Unemployment Rate Sticks At 6.8%