Millions of people worldwide are affected by dementia, and this disease is a growing problem, especially in our aging society. Family members often face the challenge of how best to support their loved ones. Despite the illness, you undoubtedly want to enable your family members to live as safely and independently as possible. Technological aids like a dementia wristband can help with this!

The One Button Phone not only provides the appropriate basis for this in the form of GPS tracking and the emergency button, but also reminder functions, health monitoring, vital data tracking and more.

What exactly is dementia?

Dementia refers to various diseases that affect our brain and lead to a progressive loss of cognitive abilities. Dementia manifests itself primarily through:

• Memory disorders
• Difficulties with orientation
• speech impairments
• Loss of the ability to cope with everyday tasks

Often, the personality or behavior of the affected person also changes. An SOS button can help seniors maintain a sense of security despite these symptoms and the dangers of dementia.

This is how widespread dementia is

According to the German Alzheimer Society, at the end of 2023, approximately 1.8 million people in Germany were living with dementia. In 2023 alone, roughly 445,000 people over the age of 65 were newly diagnosed with dementia. The number of affected individuals is therefore steadily increasing. The WHO estimates that in 2019, approximately 55.2 million people worldwide had dementia. Europe ranks second with 14.1 million affected individuals.

Women are significantly more affected overall. Furthermore, the likelihood increases with age, although dementia can fundamentally occur at any age.

Dementia statistics as of the end of 2023:

• Ages 40 to 59: 22,000 men and 25,000 women
• Ages 60 to 64: 27,000 men and 32,000 women
• Ages 65 to 69: 41,000 men and 55,000 women
• Ages 70 to 74: 67,000 men and 99,000 women
• Ages 75 to 79: 92,000 men and 146,000 women
• Ages 80 to 84: 167,000 men and 295,000 women
• Ages 85 to 89: 149,000 men and 319,000 women
• Over 90 years old: 72,000 men and 228,000 women

What causes dementia?

Dementia can be triggered by very different causes and can affect the brain and its functions.

Neurodegenerative diseases

The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease . This is caused by the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and tau proteins, which promote the death of nerve cells. Lewy body dementia, on the other hand, is caused by abnormal protein deposits (Lewy bodies) in nerve cells, which can lead to memory problems and hallucinations. A rarer form is frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which primarily affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. This can lead to behavioral changes and speech problems.

Circulatory disorders

Vascular dementia occurs when the blood supply to the brain is impaired. This can happen, for example, after a stroke, a blood clot, or due to arteriosclerosis. As a result, certain areas of the brain die, which in turn can lead to cognitive impairment.

Mixed forms

There is also mixed dementia, which is a combination of Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. In this case, both neurodegenerative and vascular damage are present.

Secondary causes

There are many other causes that can trigger or promote dementia. These include:

• Brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (for example, from accidents) can cause permanent damage to the brain, which can lead to dementia symptoms.
• Infections: Diseases such as HIV, syphilis, or encephalitis can damage the brain and cause dementia.
• Tumors: Brain tumors or metastases can cause cognitive problems by putting pressure on certain brain regions.
• Vitamin deficiency: A lack of vitamin B12 or other important nutrients can impair brain function and also cause dementia symptoms.
• Toxic substances: Alcohol abuse, drugs, or certain medications can cause long-term damage to the brain, leading to dementia symptoms.

Metabolic disorders

An underactive or overactive thyroid can also be responsible for cognitive impairments. Furthermore, unregulated blood sugar levels damage blood vessels and can increase the risk of vascular dementia.

Genetic factors

Certain genetic mutations, such as those in the APOE-ε4 gene, increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Hereditary factors may also play a role in some other forms, such as frontotemporal dementia.

Other factors

Age is generally the biggest risk factor for dementia. However, the risk can also be increased by factors such as smoking, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, and chronic stress – especially in combination with vascular disease.

Why is an emergency bracelet important for people with dementia?

Dementia is widespread, has many causes, and leads to significant impairments in daily life. If you are now considering how you could help a person with dementia, we have some tips for you below.

The One Button Phone emergency bracelet helps people with dementia live more oriented and safer lives. As a family member, you also benefit from additional monitoring and direct communication. Especially in the early stages, an emergency bracelet is the best way to offer your loved ones support.

Situation 1: Leaving the house without notifying anyone

Your father, who has dementia, spontaneously leaves his house to "run an errand." He believes it's urgent. Unfortunately, he doesn't remember that he actually has no errand to run and then forgets to inform you, his daughter. When you later realize he's not there, you worry.

People with dementia tend to wander off suddenly and aimlessly – often without knowing where they're going. An emergency bracelet with GPS tracking, like the One Button Phone, would solve this problem. As a family member, you can determine their location and bring your father back safely before he puts himself in danger (for example, in traffic or by entering hazardous areas).

Good to know: This guide tells you more about the app-based emergency call with location tracking !

Situation 2: Stove accidentally switched on

Your mother, or perhaps your sister with dementia, is making herself a cup of tea at home. After putting the kettle on, she forgets to turn off the stove. Minutes later, the pot is smoking and there is a risk of a kitchen fire.

People with dementia often have trouble remembering simple steps or sequences, which could trigger a dangerous situation. If your family member panics, they could immediately call emergency services or get help with the One Button Phone. Thanks to its one-button design, getting help is easy – even if the situation is overwhelming.

Situation 3: Fall at night

Your parent lives alone and wakes up at night to go to the bathroom. Perhaps your father or mother is a little unsteady on their feet, loses their balance, and falls hard onto the tiled floor. Your parent is injured, possibly confused, and unable to get up or call for help. Furthermore, dementia can cause them to perceive the situation very differently and perhaps not even recognize it as a problem.

Thanks to the automatic fall sensor in the One Button Phone, you as a relative will be notified immediately if a fall occurs. This also applies if your parents are unresponsive and have fallen – you will be informed of the emergency even without manual activation and can help immediately!

Situation 4: Disorientation during a walk

Imagine your father, who is experiencing early-stage dementia, decides to take a walk in the neighborhood. He used to enjoy doing that. Suddenly, he no longer recognizes his surroundings. Familiar streets seem strange, and he can't find his way home.

People with dementia often become disoriented – even in areas they were previously familiar with. The One Button Phone can save lives, because the GPS emergency beacon allows relatives to immediately know the location of their loved ones. Your parents or grandparents could also make an emergency call themselves and summon help if they feel unsafe.

Situation 5: Drug mix-up

Your mother has to take medication daily, but she has early-stage dementia. Sometimes she mixes up her pills or takes them at the wrong time. With particularly strong medications or in cases of overdose, this can have serious health consequences.

The One Button Phone's alarm function can be used to remind your mother to take her medication in time. Should an overdose occur and your mother feel unwell, she can immediately press the SOS button. This will notify you, her son, directly, allowing you to get help or visit her yourself.

The One Button Phone – more than just a lifesaver

Although there are already many situations in which a dementia bracelet in the form of an emergency bracelet is useful, the One Button Phone offers far more functions.

• Telephone function
• Monitoring of health data
• GPS tracking
• Fall sensor
• alarm
• Alarm clock
• Pedometer

For this reason, the dementia bracelet helps not only people with dementia, but all seniors and people with health limitations. They can be more active again and still receive help at any time. Furthermore, you don't need to sign an expensive contract with a home emergency call center, as you simply operate the One Button Phone with a SIM card and without a subscription to a provider.

Simply test the One Button Phone for 30 days without obligation and see for yourself how valuable the senior or dementia bracelet is for relatives and those affected.