Will Google Glass become a brain prosthetic as it has many of the capabilities needed to become a “memory support system.”
That is, Glass could use its amazing technology to help early Alzheimer’s victims who “wander” by providing them with cues, prompts, and reminders of where they wanted to go and of how to get there.
Using Google GPS, Glass could provide specific walking directions to the grocery store. It could become a prosthetic “memory support system” bringing a new sense of independence to the cognitively impaired, encouraging them to venture out into the world. See on www.huffingtonpost.com
This is an interesting idea. It would be wonderful if this could help the person with early to mid-stage Alzheimer’s. As stated, it could assist with directions, etc. if the person had very mild dementia.
My worry would be that it might give the caregiver a false confidence that the person with later Alzheimer’s was safe when alone. At that stage, this would not be the best idea as a method of assistance or control..
Someone with later stage dementia could forget what the Google Glass was for and toss them aside as a nuisance.
I hope they do many hours thinking and testing before this is recommended to Caregivers for their loved one with mid to late stage Alzheimer’s dementia.
What do you think? Would you like your loved one with dementia to have the Google Glass?
There are numerous tools, now, to help the person with dementia such as GPS tracking in shoes, watches, and wristbands. Nothing goes as far as a brain prosthetic but there are many gadgets to help the memory impaired live a better life.
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Timex® IRONMAN® Run X20 GPS Watch, Full Size, Bright BlueGarmin Foot Pod [Retail Packaging]
Shoe Pouch for Fitbit, Misfit, Nike+ fitness trackers, and for Sony
Nike, SportWatch GPS White/Silver
Bluetooth Sports Activity Tracker, wireless, LEDs light, clip, Raspberry
Winplus AC13268-72 Beacon GPS Tracker
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