Those of us who have experience of elderly loved ones struggling with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease know just how easily they’re confused and how difficult it is for them to grasp anything new – even if it is actually easier to use than before.
For example, it’s much easier, more intuitive for the average person to find a station on DAB+ or as an app on a mobile than find it as a frequency on a dial. But for those who suffer from dementia, anything “new” that needs “learning” will confuse them. What helps dementia patients stay in their comfort zone is familiarity.
This new DAB+ and FM radio from relish not only looks familiar but is even easier to use than the radios the elderly once used.
The radios are distributed in Australia by HOMELife technology.
At close to $300 AUD it saddly isn't worth it. Especially if the patient is in a nursing home or prone to unintentionally damaging items around the house as a result of their condition.
The simplicity is absolutely needed but it also needs to be affordable and easy to replace.
In the "old days", car radios with a standard DIN fitting had five mechanical presets. The "Relish" radio has only four presets, three for radio (FM/DAB+) and the fourth for music through the USB.
There aren't enough presets on the "Relish" radio and typical of radio manufacturers, there isn't an AM band in case there is no simulcast of the AM broadcasts on DAB+. If a person whose language is other than English, cannot listen to the narrowcast AM stations above 1600kHz.
There are AM/FM radios with a simplistic design such as the Sony ICFC1B for $34 https://www.thegoodguys.com.au/sony-clock-radio-amfm-icfc1b.
However, the Sony's as well as the Panasonic RC-7290, AM section's upper band frequency is 1610kHz so one will not pick up the narrowcasters from 1610kHz to 1710kHz. The Lenoxx's CR85 only goes to 1600kHz.
If there is an AM radio capable of reception of frequency range from 1610kHz to 1710kHz, reception of the 500W, 1701kHz station "Voice of Charity" may be noisy if living away from its transmitter at Mt Druitt. This refers to reception in the Sydney metropolitan area.
If labelling is a problem, sticky/masking tape or depending on the texture of the radio's surface, correcting tape can be placed under the presets.
Unfortunately, many analogue clock radios with presets are only FM.
In sum, choice of clock radio with presets is based on (i) price < $100, (i) accessing stations with preset buttons, (ii) the ability to put labels under the presets, and (iii) the radio having an AM band. For (iii), take note of the frequency limits of the AM section which don't go above 1610kHz where there are LOTE stations.
The number of analogue clock radios with AM sections are becoming rare and not all broadcasters on AM simulcast on DAB+.
Thank you,
Anthony of read the specifications Belfield, in the land of the Wangal and Darug Peoples of the Eora Nation.
As an addendum to the above comment there are the following AM/FM radio with presets.
Sangean RCR-5, will go to 1710kHz, https://www.sangean.com/support/download/Manual/R2/20170914_3A81XA100001B_RCR-5A_GB_R2.pdf .
You can put your own stick/masking tape or tape correction ribbon labels above the presets even if it covers the speaker.
Specifications: https://www.sangean.com/support/download/Manual/R2/20170914_3A81XA100001B_RCR-5A_GB_R2.pdf
Prices range from $82 to $99.
Sangean RCR-30 , will go to 1710kHz, https://www.sangean.com/support/download/Manual/V1/20190926_3A81dE0S10020_RCR-30_GB_V1.pdf
Larger sticky labels can be placed above the presets without partially covering the speaker.
$189 includes delivery to Australia, https://www.desertcart.com.au/products/38362271-sangean-rcr-20-fm-rds-am-bluetooth-aux-in-usb-charging-digital-tuning-clock-radio-black
Thank you,
Anthony of I don't endorse these products or the vendors/retailers, Belfield in the land of the Wangal and Darug Peoples of the Eora Nation.