AI offers vital support for dementia care but risks remain high

The implications of artificial intelligence for people living with dementia and their carers are being weighed amid both potential benefits and emerging concerns over cognitive health and social impacts.

AI tools such as virtual assistants and companion robots have been highlighted for their capacity to assist those with dementia in their daily lives. These technologies are capable of providing reminders for medication and meals, controlling home safety systems, offering weather and news updates, answering common questions, and even offering cognitive stimulation, such as playing music or writing poetry. There are also examples of AI-powered companionship provided in the form of robotic pets.

AI offers similar support to family carers, allowing them easier access to the latest dementia care information, medical support, and relevant community services directly from their homes. Carers can feel supported without the need to leave home, which can otherwise be stressful, and experience a reduction in loneliness and social isolation.

Maria Nicol, Dementia Educator, said: "AI can be life-changing in supporting people living with dementia to live more independently. For example, appointment and daily activity reminders (e.g. take medication, time to eat), control home safety and comfort (e.g. turn off lights and heating), offer weather, news and traffic updates, answer common questions and provide cognitive stimulation (e.g. play music or write poetry). They can also provide companionship in the form of cuddly robots (e.g. seals and dogs)."

Nicol added: "AI can also help assist family carers who looking after someone living with dementia. Carers don't need to leave their house (which can be stressful at times) to access the latest information about dementia care, medical support and relevant community services. Without leaving the front door you can feel supported, and you may experience less loneliness and social isolation."

Despite these clear benefits, recent research has highlighted possible drawbacks of excessive AI use, particularly relating to cognitive and mental health. A 2024 study involving over 160 university students in Pakistan examined the effects of heavy AI chatbot usage. The results found that students who relied heavily on ChatGPT demonstrated more frequent procrastination, memory loss, and reduced academic performance. The study suggests that balancing the use of technology with personal effort and active engagement in problem-solving is optimal for learning outcomes.

The research aligned with previous findings, indicating that over-reliance on AI can reduce cognitive skills including critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, memory capacity, attention, and focus. This cognitive decline is linked not only to students but may also extend to broader populations using AI tools extensively.

The effects of AI are not only cognitive but may extend to emotional and social domains. The same study discussed possible impairments in emotional and social intelligence, which could reduce human-to-human connections and promote social isolation. This loss of interpersonal engagement and empathy might undermine self-confidence and potentially accelerate cognitive decline.

Nicol commented: "These impacts on a person's mental health, coupled with possible declines in cognitive function, could result in a person feeling incompetent, less confident, and vulnerable. Which the study proposes, could further exacerbate a person's cognitive decline."

For carers of people with dementia, the risks associated with AI usage may compound existing challenges. It is well established that carers face higher risks of physical and mental health decline. Increased dependency on AI could lead to further reductions in memory, problem-solving skills, and social interactions, potentially increasing loneliness. According to the World Health Organisation, social isolation and loneliness are recognised risk factors for both physical and mental health decline, as well as the development of dementia.

For individuals living with cognitive impairment or early dementia, indiscriminate or excessive use of AI might exacerbate decline by adding confusion, stress, and undermining residual cognitive skills. Nicol observed: "There seems like there is a fine line between AI positively supporting a person living with brain changes (e.g. reminding them to take their medication), versus causing further confusion or stress, undermining remaining cognitive skills and abilities, or increasing social isolation. Cognitive 'off-loading' to AI when you already have brain changes could be a recipe for further cognitive tragedies."

Experts suggest a balanced approach to AI use, encouraging individuals to harness the practical benefits of AI while maintaining social connections and engaging in cognitively stimulating real-world activities. As Nicol advised: "It's about finding the balance between utilizing AI's advice and support, whilst staying in the real world to physically connect with others and ensure you 'use it, not lose it'. Like anything in life, too much of even a good thing can be detrimental. So, the next time you consider talking to Alexa, stop, and instead contemplate leaving the house to talk to an actual person, or stimulate the brain by finding the answer yourself."

Nicol concluded: "Walk in their shoes, see what they see, hear what they hear, feel what they feel, only then will you begin to understand dementia."