My PATI
Supporting communication to promote autonomy and choice.
Many people with dementia suffer from communication challenges that make it difficult to express choices and experiences. ​​My Person Assistant Touchscreen Interface, or My PATI, is an alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) software designed to help people with moderate and advanced dementia communicate their daily care preferences and support their engagement with others.
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Designed with caregivers, providers, and people with dementia, My PATI is the first customizable AAC designed for the unique needs of those with cognitive impairment. It's been developed and tested with funding from the U.S. National Institutes of Health.​
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Information about how we developed My PATI has recently been published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research - Aging.
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How is My PATI different from other communication apps?
Two Supportive Interfaces
My PATI has two interfaces that are fully customizable to the individual interests and preferences for each user.
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Engagement Interface. One of the two interfaces for My PATI is designed for the person with memory problems to use alone for recreation or with others for engagement. There, the interface can be customized with the person's favorite music, videos, and photos to support engaging discussions between the person with impairment and others. It can also be used to briefly distract the person with impairment to support respite for the care partner or to reduce agitation that may occur throughout the day. ​
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Caregiver Interface. The second My PATI interface is designed to support family or professional caregivers in daily care activities and also tracks clinical information about the person with dementia. Caregivers can fully customize this interface with photos of the person's clothing, favorite foods, preferred grooming activities, and recreational activities. During care activities, the caregiver can provide choices in clothing, food during mealtimes, or activities to help the person with dementia make a selection of their preferences by touching the tablet screen when memory or cognitive challenges make it difficult for them to verbalize their choice. Similarly, the person with impairment can indicate their mood and sleep quality by touching graphics on the screen.
How does My PATI work?
Watch this video to learn ways that My PATI can support everyday communication support.