Living at home alone is often difficult and lonely for a person with dementia. Life could be easier, safer and more enjoyable if he or she had visitors, help and advice. A better life is much less likely for the many who are not assessed or diagnosed. For the latter changes will often come about after a crisis - a serious illness, an accident, or when other type of emergency arises, eg the person is lost and found by the emergency services.
From then any assessment will, on referral, be followed by diagnosis of a dementia (if that is the case). As a result in a care pathway is likely to be established. Hopefully, if this is the person's wish this will be at home but his or her destination may well be in a dementia care home.
Where the diagnosis and appropriate treatment results in life at home changes which could result in adaptations and improvements to make life easier, safer and less stressful. So called assistive technology covers many devices and systems used by local organisations. For instance, the fire and rescue service may fit fire safety equipment. Many homes are fitted with water mist sprinklers - so reducing the impact of a fire caused by the person with dementia not remembering that a cooker is on and a pan catches fire.
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