An artificial "warm hand", developed at the University of Antwerp, could help to give people with dementia a feeling of security at night. The hand is part of a toolbox that contains six other elements that can improve sleep among residents of residential care centres.
Witse Beyers has just graduated as a product developer. For her master's thesis, she designed a toolbox that responds to various causes of poor sleep in people with dementia. It is estimated that one in three people with dementia have insomnia.
"The toolbox makes it possible to find an effective, tailor-made approach for each resident to combat nightly unrest," explained Beyers. "Moreover, it is a cheap way that does not involve medication or restrictions on freedom."
A helping hand
The most striking tool is a "warm hand" that helps the sufferer to cope with loneliness and lack of skin contact. "For the user, it creates a sense of security by mimicking a hand-in-hand effect," explains Beyers.
The tool works with heat and stimulation of pressure receptors in the fingers and hand of the resident. "It's a simple tool with soft, flexible and easily washable materials," explained Beyers. "Healthcare professionals know that holding a hand can really bring peace. Unfortunately, they themselves do not have the time to permanently hold the hands of the residents."
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The toolbox also consists of wireless observation and detection modules that keep healthcare providers informed of nocturnal unrest among patients. The modules can be used separately or in combination.
