Tech can help workers with dementia - new study

The University of Bath argues that modern digital technology can be adapted to help people with dementia remain in employment

A new study is challenging the stereotype that dementia is incompatible with digital work and says sufferers can still be productive.

The study, Working lives with dementia: A digital futures perspective, from the University of Bath argues that modern digital technology can be adapted to help people with the condition remain in employment.

Dr James Fletcher warned that without action the digital revolution could deepen inequalities for people with diverse needs.

However, he said organisations can make simple adjustments, such as improving lighting, using clear fonts, and providing automatic reminders to support staff with dementia.

"The bottom line is that we have an ageing population and workforce in which dementia will feature," Fletcher said.

"An experienced 60-year-old employee with early stage dementia will have grown up through the digital, internet and social media revolutions – and with the right support, they will still have much to offer."

The study was published as the UK Government announced its welfare reform plans, which aim to encourage more disabled people into work.

Dr Fletcher said he hoped this new research will highlight the opportunities and challenges of meeting this goal.

He said that artificial intelligence [AI] offered "really interesting opportunities" for people with dementia as it could help them to find words, structure text and manage tasks effectively.

He said hybrid working could also offer benefits for employees and companies.

In the study, the researchers highlighted that dementia is not just a post-retirement issue, with around 370,000 new cases of young-onset dementia diagnosed annually.

They have warned that most employees with dementia leave work unwillingly, despite many being capable of continuing with the right support.

Dr Olivia Brown, a co-researcher on the study, said dementia is not "inherently disabling" but it depends on the environment the person is working in.

"We need to approach this in the way we already respond to people with diverse needs, which is already familiar to most employees," Brown said.

"There is a misplaced tendency to see a dementia diagnosis in black and white terms when the reality is, the effects can vary day-to-day and hour-to-hour depending on environment and relationships."