Councillors have praised an innovative scheme to help pensioners in the early stages of dementia.
Occupational therapists from NHS Grampian yesterday asked members of the Garioch area committee for £600 funding to buy Amazon Alexa units, or similar devices, to help people with conditions such as Alzheimer’s.
Alexa is a voice-activated technology innovation, similar to Siri on an iPhone, that has potential for helping seniors with dementia.
The gadgets can answers questions, like “what day is it?” or “what time is it?” with the kind of patience only a robot could master.
They can also play music and read audiobooks.
NHS Grampian’s therapy team hopes that introducing them into the homes of people in the early stages of dementia will help them lead more independent lives.
Yesterday, the committee approved the £600 grant from the £10,000 Charles Ogg Fund.
The fund, set up following Mr Ogg’s death in recognition of the support Inverurie Hospital’s dementia team had provided the family, benefits social work and health services across Aberdeenshire.
Westhill councillor Iris Walker branded the idea as a “really good initiative” while Inverurie councillor Marion Ewenson stressed the need for the technology to be stored safely once it was obtained.