Smart Home Technology and Dementia Care: Can It Help People Live Safely at Home?
For many people living with dementia, remaining at home offers familiarity, comfort and a valuable sense of independence. However, families may understandably worry about falls, disrupted routines, changes in health or a loved one leaving home unexpectedly.
A recent BBC News report explored how smart mattresses, movement sensors and wearable devices are being tested to support people with dementia at home. The technology could help care professionals notice changes earlier, potentially allowing families to respond before a concern becomes a crisis.
How is smart technology being used in dementia care?
The BBC shared the story of Jyoti and Bharat Patel, a couple in their 70s who are taking part in an NHS technology trial. Jyoti was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2021.
Their home has been fitted with connected devices designed to monitor patterns in Jyoti’s health and daily routine.
These include:
Movement sensors that may help identify a possible fall
Door sensors that detect someone leaving home during the night
Sensors on kitchen appliances to monitor everyday routines
A mat placed beneath the mattress to track sleep, breathing and heart rate
Wearable devices that monitor factors such as body temperature and changes in walking
The information is reviewed by a specialist clinical team. The aim is to recognise meaningful changes that may indicate a developing health problem or a need for additional support.
The devices used in the home do not record sound or video, according to the researchers featured in the report. Even so, families will naturally want to understand what information is collected, who can see it and how it is protected.
How could technology support dementia care at home?
Dementia affects each person differently. Needs may also change gradually, making it difficult for relatives to recognise when additional help is required.
Used appropriately, smart technology could provide several practical benefits.
Identifying changes in routine
A change in someone’s usual pattern can sometimes be an early sign that something is wrong. A person may start sleeping poorly, moving around less, missing meals or getting up more frequently during the night.
Sensors can help build a picture of what is normal for that individual. If their routine changes noticeably, relatives or professionals may be able to investigate sooner.
Technology cannot explain why a change has happened. It can, however, provide information that prompts a timely conversation or health assessment.
Supporting safety without constant supervision
Families often want to respect a loved one’s independence while knowing that help is available if something goes wrong.
Movement and door sensors may offer an additional layer of reassurance. Depending on the system, they could indicate a possible fall or alert someone if a person leaves the property unexpectedly.
This may be particularly helpful during the night, when relatives cannot remain constantly awake and watchful.
Helping professionals make informed decisions
When a person has difficulty explaining pain, discomfort or changes in their health, family members and care professionals must often rely on observation.
Information about sleep, movement and daily activities may help professionals see patterns that are difficult to identify during a short visit. It could also support more detailed conversations with a GP, community nurse or dementia care team.
Monitoring data should support professional judgement, rather than replace it.
Offering reassurance to family carers
Caring for someone with dementia can bring persistent worry. Even when everything appears settled, relatives may wonder whether their loved one has eaten, slept well or moved safely around the home.
Bharat told the BBC that the technology gives him greater peace of mind. That reassurance matters, particularly for family carers who may feel responsible for noticing every possible change.
Technology will not remove every concern. It may, however, make some aspects of day-to-day life feel more manageable.
Can technology help someone remain independent for longer?
Smart home devices may help some people continue living in familiar surroundings by highlighting changes and risks earlier. However, technology alone cannot determine whether living at home remains suitable.
A person’s ability to remain at home safely may depend on:
The type and stage of their dementia
Their mobility and physical health
The layout and condition of the home
Whether they live alone
The support available from relatives and friends
Their access to professional dementia care at home
Their own wishes, routines and preferences
The most effective support is usually personalised. One person may benefit from simple medication reminders and scheduled care visits. Another may require overnight support, help with personal care or more frequent supervision.
Needs should be reviewed regularly rather than only after an accident or emergency.
Technology should complement human care
Sensors can detect movement, but they cannot offer companionship. A smart mattress can identify changes in sleep, but it cannot reassure someone who wakes feeling confused or frightened.
Compassionate dementia care involves understanding the person behind the diagnosis. It may include learning how they communicate, recognising what causes distress and supporting the routines that help them feel secure.
Professional home care can provide:
Help with washing, dressing and personal care
Medication support or reminders, where appropriate
Assistance with meals and hydration
Companionship and meaningful conversation
Support with household routines and activities
Reassurance for the person and their relatives
Careful observation of changes in wellbeing or behaviour
Technology can add useful information to this support. It should not become a reason to reduce meaningful contact or assume that a person is safe simply because no alert has been triggered.
Privacy, consent and personal choice matter
Monitoring someone at home raises important questions about privacy and dignity. Even devices that do not use cameras or microphones may collect detailed information about an individual’s habits.
Before introducing monitoring technology, families should ask:
What information does the device collect?
Where is the information stored?
Who will receive alerts or review the data?
How long will the information be retained?
What happens if the internet connection or device fails?
Can the person stop using it if they feel uncomfortable?
How will consent and changing mental capacity be considered?
Where possible, the person living with dementia should be involved in the decision. Information should be explained in a clear and accessible way, with time for questions.
Technology is most helpful when it responds to an individual need and feels acceptable to the person using it.
Simple technology can also make a difference
Families do not necessarily need a fully connected monitoring system to make daily life easier. Depending on the person’s needs and preferences, useful options may include:
Automatic lights for hallways and bathrooms
Large digital clocks showing the date and time
Reminder devices for appointments or daily tasks
Video doorbells and door-entry systems
Personal alarms or fall detectors
GPS-enabled devices for people at risk of becoming lost
Automatic shut-off devices for household appliances
Easy-to-use phones with clear buttons or photographs
Any new device should be introduced carefully. Too much unfamiliar equipment can be confusing, so it is often better to solve one specific problem at a time.
Creating a balanced dementia care plan
The NHS trial reported by the BBC shows how technology may become a more significant part of dementia care at home. Its greatest value is likely to come from combining useful information with responsive, relationship-led support.
A balanced care plan may bring together home care visits, help from relatives, clinical advice, practical adaptations and suitable technology. It should also change as the person’s circumstances change.
Above all, decisions should begin with the individual: what helps them feel comfortable, respected and secure in their own home?
FAQs
What technology can help a person with dementia at home?
Useful technology may include personal alarms, movement sensors, medication reminders, automatic lighting, door sensors, GPS devices and appliance shut-off systems. The right choice depends on the person’s needs, abilities and preferences.
Can smart home technology prevent falls?
Smart technology cannot prevent every fall. Some devices can detect unusual movement or send an alert after a possible fall, while automatic lighting and other home adaptations may reduce certain risks.
What is a smart mattress for dementia care?
A smart mattress or under-mattress sensor can monitor patterns such as movement, sleep, breathing or heart rate. In clinical settings, this information may help professionals notice changes that need further investigation.
Can someone with dementia live safely at home?
Many people with dementia can continue living at home with suitable support. This may include help from relatives, professional home care, home adaptations and carefully chosen technology. Needs should be reviewed as the condition progresses.
Does monitoring technology record conversations?
Not all monitoring systems work in the same way. The devices described in the BBC report did not record sound or video, but families should always check exactly what a particular product collects before agreeing to use it.
Is technology a replacement for dementia home care?
No. Technology may support safety, monitoring and daily routines, but it cannot replace personal care, companionship or professional judgement. It is most effective when used alongside attentive human support.
How can home carers help someone living with dementia?
Home carers can support personal care, meals, medication routines, companionship and meaningful activities. They can also notice changes in behaviour or wellbeing and communicate concerns to relatives and relevant professionals.
When should a dementia care plan be reviewed?
A care plan should be reviewed regularly and whenever there is a significant change, such as a fall, hospital visit, increased confusion, disrupted sleep, reduced mobility or difficulty managing everyday tasks.
Looking for care at home for yourself or a loved one? Get in touch with your local Sylvian Care team to talk through your needs and find out how we can help.