People with dementia have traditionally not been considered potential users of new technological products, except for products to ensure safety. This project aims to show that such products can in fact be designed and adapted to benefit this rapidly growing user group as well as their carers. If the user trials and assessments show that the products can give positive experiences, there may be a large market for such products.

Some products are being developed in the project, some are commercially available today.

The products have been chosen because they represent common problems for people with dementia. Also they comply with user requirements for people with dementia.

A selection is made for offering to the users in the trials, but only the ones that are suitable according to individual user needs analysis will be tried in each case.
Five products are chosen to be tried in all four countries, in addition, each country will choose a number of optional products for trials.

The products that are chosen to be tried out and assessed in all four partner countries are:

• Day and night calendar
• Do It Yourself Picture gramophone
• Locator for lost objects
• Automatic bedroom light
• Programmable telephone with photos instead of numbers

In addition the following optional products will be assessed:

• In Finland, the DIY Picture gramophone will be tried in private homes
• In England and Ireland, Gas cooker monitor will be tried out
• In Norway, Careousel medicine dispenser and Remote day planner will be tried out

You will find more info and pictures of the products on the Products page.

This is the web site of an exciting research project which is aimed at "marrying the new with the familiar" when developing and introducing new technology to people with dementia and their carers.

Funded by the European Commission under the Programme "Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources", Contract No. QLK6 - 2000 - 00653