Real stories
Popular products: People with dementia try out items from our shop
A group of people with dementia in Kent try out high-selling products from five ranges in our online shop.
At the fortnightly Peer Support Group Tonbridge, people with dementia meet to share questions and ideas with others who understand what it’s like to live with the condition.
They welcomed us to one of their sessions to tell us what they thought of five products from our online shop. These are popular items from different ranges, all designed to help with day-to-day challenges for people affected by dementia.
Rosebud reminder clock
The Rosebud reminder clock helps people to keep track of time, and of regular or one-off appointments. It comes with a black or white frame, and you can choose what you’d like it to display – for example, whether it shows the precise time or the day of the week and time of day.
There are 20 built-in reminders for meals, appointments and TV programmes, as well as things like checking the front door is locked, feeding the cat, having a cup of tea or taking medication.
You can set these to come on at a specific time, either regularly or on a particular date, or you can programme your own. These can include a picture along with a sound and announcement.
Colin said, ‘I have one – I got it as a present, I love it!’
Group members wanted to know how to set a reminder. This involves using buttons on the back of the clock to select options on the front display.
Colin said he uses his as a clock rather than for reminders – its clear display means it’s easy to see the time and date.
Group members wanted to know how to set a reminder. This involves using buttons on the back of the clock to select options on the front display, which it was agreed many would need someone to do for them.
People thought it would be useful if a carer, friend or relative could set a reminder remotely with the person’s consent, such as through their own phone. Louise, from our online shop, said the manufacturer is looking into this for future models.
Although Trevor was happy to continue using his wall calendar to keep track of appointments, he added, ‘The reminder clock could be useful for anyone who is a little bit forgetful – not only for people with dementia.’
One button radio
The One button radio is a retro-look AM/FM radio that has a magnetic front panel covering most of its controls.
Once the station and volume has been set, the only visible button is a simple on-off switch. This means that, if a person could find a range of buttons and dials difficult or confusing to use, they only need to use the single button on the top of the radio to turn their favourite station on or off.
The look was a bit too retro for Trevor, who said, ‘I had a Bose radio. This one looks like it’s out of the 1930s!’
Sue, facilitating the group, said, ‘It looks nice, but it is big for a radio.’
Trevor thought it would help to have a volume control on the top as well as the on/off button.
‘There aren’t many times I’d have the radio on and only have it on one volume,’ he said. ‘It depends on what you’re doing, what’s playing. Sometimes you’ve got a louder signal than others, the volume varies a lot.’
Photo phone
The Amplidect Combi Photo 295 Phone is designed to make it easier to keep in touch with family, friends and other regular contacts. Its desktop phone and cordless handset both have three large, programmable picture buttons, so you only need to press a person’s picture to call them.
You can store up to 50 contact numbers on it, it has a built-in answerphone and it’s compatible with hearing aids.
People were happy that the number of the person calling comes up on the desktop phone’s LCD display, and also that the device is guaranteed for life.
‘That’s not a bad price, actually,’ said Trevor.
Trevor was also pleasantly surprised to hear that it cost £83.37 with VAT relief.
‘That’s not a bad price, actually,’ he said. ‘We’ve got one virtually the same, but we paid more for it, and that one doesn’t have the pictures.’
Talking time pal
The Talking time pal is a small device that can be kept on a keychain or in a pocket, and which speaks the time and date when you press its button.
When we tried it out, there was a clear announcement that said, ‘The time is 12.52pm.’ If you press the button a second time, it also tells you the date.
Trevor noted, ‘It’s definitely loud enough! Maybe not if you’re somewhere noisy, like in the pub?’
People were reassured that the small battery is longlasting.
Sensor light
The ‘Get up in the night’ sensor light is a bright strip LED that comes on if it’s dark and a movement sets off its motion sensor, going off after 30 seconds.
It can be placed alongside a person’s bed so that it comes on when they get up at night, or attached to a skirting board, along the bottom of a riser on the stairs and many other places.
Group members were impressed by the simplicity of this product, and the impact it could have in reducing trips and falls.
‘That is such a good idea,’ said Sue. ‘Everyone should have one!’
‘And that would be quite a bit of light on the staircase,’ added Trevor.
Games and activities 10% discount
Get 10% off games, puzzles and sensory products from our online shop by using the code DAW10 at check out.
Prices without VAT (you don’t have to pay VAT if it’s bought to be used by a person with dementia or other condition) – prices correct as of April 2020.
- Rosebud reminder clock is £69.99
- One button radio is £49.99
- Amplidect Combi Photo 295 Phone is £83.33
- Talking time pal is £11.55
Products with no VAT relief – prices correct as of April 2020.
- ‘Get up in the night’ sensor light is £16.62
Rina Raath
saysGood evening
I'm part of a support group and would like to create and make special signs with pictures for
different rooms in the home that would be easily visible for patients
Thank you
Rina Raath
Hello Rina,
Thanks for getting in touch.
Please take a look at the dementia-friendly signage we have available - https://shop.alzheimers.org.uk/daily-living-aids/Dementia-Friendly-Sign…
We hope this is helpful!
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Alzheimer's Society website team