{"id":157786,"date":"2025-06-04T15:11:18","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T15:11:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/157786\/"},"modified":"2025-06-04T15:11:18","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T15:11:18","slug":"people-with-dementia-can-work-and-ai-can-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/157786\/","title":{"rendered":"People with dementia can work\u2014and AI can help"},"content":{"rendered":"

As workplaces continue to change with technology, many still believe that older people, especially those with dementia<\/a>, can\u2019t keep up. This stereotype is not only false\u2014it\u2019s harmful. It overlooks the strengths these individuals can still offer and the tools that can support them. Today\u2019s digital world doesn\u2019t have to leave anyone behind. In fact, it can open doors for people with dementia to keep working and contributing in meaningful ways.<\/p>\n

Breaking Down the Stereotypes<\/p>\n

The belief that older people don\u2019t understand technology is outdated. It\u2019s even more misleading when applied to workers with dementia. Many people now in their 60s have spent decades using computers, the internet<\/a>, and smartphones. They\u2019re far from digitally illiterate. A diagnosis of dementia doesn\u2019t suddenly erase a lifetime of experience. Yet many employers treat it that way.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is widespread prejudice that those with dementia cannot cope with, or benefit from, digital technology,\u201d says Dr. James Fletcher of the University of Bath<\/a>. \u201cBut it\u2019s worth putting some perspective on this\u2014an experienced 60-year-old employee with early stage dementia will have grown up through the digital, internet and social media revolutions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nearly 370,000 people are diagnosed with young onset dementia each year, yet inclusive digital tools can keep them active in the workplace. (CREDIT: Pixabay) <\/p>\n

Despite their skills and experience, people with dementia often face pressure to leave their jobs. Many feel they must hide their condition. Others leave because workplaces lack the tools or understanding to support them. But Fletcher and his colleague Dr. Olivia Brown believe this doesn\u2019t have to be the case.<\/p>\n

Rethinking Work Environments<\/p>\n

Fletcher and Brown\u2019s recent study offers a new way forward. They argue that dementia isn\u2019t always disabling. What matters most is how the workplace responds. When work environments<\/a> are poorly designed, cognitive impairments become harder to manage. When they\u2019re supportive, people can continue to thrive.<\/p>\n

Small changes can make a big difference. Adjusting font sizes, using clear colors, improving lighting, and offering calendars or reminders all help. Voice controls and smart assistants can handle tasks like scheduling or note-taking. Even something as simple as a swipe card can be easier to manage than a numeric key code.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuite simple adjustments to the working environment\u2026could make a big difference for somebody diagnosed with dementia,\u201d says Fletcher. \u201cWe need to approach this in the way we already respond to people with diverse needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

He explains that the symptoms of dementia don\u2019t stay the same. \u201cThere is a misplaced tendency to see a dementia diagnosis in black and white terms,\u201d adds Brown. \u201cThe reality is, the effects can vary day-to-day and hour-to-hour depending on environment and relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Role of Artificial Intelligence<\/p>\n

The rise of artificial intelligence<\/a> offers even more support. Tools like large language models and voice-command software can help users find the right words, organize ideas, and structure information clearly. These are some of the tasks people with dementia may struggle with, and AI can help fill the gap.<\/p>\n

\u201cAI is superb at solving many of the problems faced by those with dementia,\u201d Fletcher notes. It can help users write emails, manage calendars, and complete other digital tasks that are part of daily work life.<\/p>\n

With 9% of dementia cases affecting those under 65, rethinking dementia in the workplace is more urgent than ever. (CREDIT: iStock) <\/p>\n

Hybrid working is another powerful option. Being able to work from home gives employees flexibility. It also lets them set up their own environment in ways that help them focus and reduce stress<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With these tools and approaches, workplaces can become more inclusive. Employers won\u2019t just help people with dementia\u2014they\u2019ll also benefit from retaining skilled, experienced workers.<\/p>\n

More Than an Ageing Issue<\/p>\n

One of the biggest misunderstandings about dementia is that it only affects older adults. This isn\u2019t true. Around 9% of the world\u2019s 35.6 million people living with dementia are under 65. That\u2019s roughly 370,000 new cases of young onset dementia each year. Some people are diagnosed in their 40s or 50s\u2014well before retirement age.<\/p>\n

Still, most policies and research ignore this group. The focus stays on older populations, leaving younger workers with dementia out of the picture. That has real consequences. Without support, many leave the workforce too early.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reality is, this is not dealt with in any meaningful way right now\u2014there are very rarely strategies in place,\u201d says Fletcher. He hopes the UK government\u2019s recent plans to encourage more disabled people<\/a> into work will address this. If so, their research could help shape future policies.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many who could stay in the workforce and don\u2019t,\u201d Fletcher says. \u201cAnd this is not just an issue for older people\u2014growing numbers of younger people are being diagnosed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Putting Workers at the Center<\/p>\n

The research draws from disability studies and dementia studies alike. It calls for a \u201ccoproductive\u201d approach, which means involving people with dementia in shaping the tools and policies that affect them. This method centers their voice and experience, helping build workplaces that work for everyone.<\/p>\n

This also pushes back against \u201cdigital ageism\u201d\u2014the idea that older adults can\u2019t handle modern tools. When companies leave older workers out of the conversation, they risk making tech that doesn\u2019t work for them. Digital tools can and should be designed with all users in mind. When that happens, they help bridge gaps instead of widening them.<\/p>\n

Conceptual map of a digital future for working lives with dementia. (CREDIT: Olivia Brown, et al.) <\/p>\n

Fletcher and Brown say this shift isn\u2019t just possible\u2014it\u2019s necessary. Employers need to stop treating dementia as an automatic end to someone\u2019s career. With smart technology and thoughtful design, people with dementia can stay productive and feel valued.<\/p>\n

A Better Future Through Inclusion<\/p>\n

The future of work shouldn\u2019t leave people behind. As populations age and technology moves forward, the two can grow together. Dementia doesn\u2019t have to mean unemployment<\/a>. With the right tools, workplaces can become more inclusive and flexible.<\/p>\n

To get there, we need more research that includes people with dementia at every step. Their insights will help design better environments, better technology, and better lives. Employers who make this shift won\u2019t just support their workers. They\u2019ll gain loyalty, experience, and perspective. When workplaces adapt, everyone wins.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As workplaces continue to change with technology, many still believe that older people, especially those with dementia, can\u2019t…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":157787,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4317],"tags":[105,218,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-157786","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mental-health","8":"tag-health","9":"tag-mental-health","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114625739752373947","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=157786"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157786\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/157787"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=157786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=157786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=157786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}