K.i.M – Sensory Assessment Tool for Dementia shows promising progress through DiSC Cymru support

K.i.M – Sensory Assessment Tool for Dementia shows promising progress through DiSC Cymru support

The K.i.M (Sensory Assessment Tool for Dementia) project is demonstrating how digital innovation can support people living with dementia, their carers and families to better understand cognitive change and maintain independence.

KiM is designed to be a simple, accessible tool based in neuroscience that helps people experiencing cognitive change, and their carers, understand what changes are happening in the brain, and take practical steps to stay confident and independent in everyday life.

With support from the Digital in Social Care (DiSC) Cymru programme, the team at eHealth Digital Media Ltd has moved KiM from an early concept into a tested prototype, co-produced from the outset with people living with dementia and their carers in Scotland and Wales.

Through collaboration between academics, clinicians and health system designers, the team has validated the core idea behind KiM’s sensory-led approach, translating research into practical, everyday guidance that is both accessible and clinically informed.

The project has also been tested in real-world settings, including with memory clinic staff and individuals at Swansea’s Dementia Hwb, helping to refine both the content and user experience.

Crucially, DiSC Cymru funding has enabled the team to understand not just what works, but how people engage. The findings highlight that clear explanation, reassurance and understanding are as important as awareness-raising itself.

Supporting early intervention and independence

The KiM platform is designed for people experiencing early cognitive impairment, as well as those living with dementia and their carers. It focuses on supporting people at an early stage – including those waiting for diagnosis – to better understand what is happening and access guidance tailored to their needs.

The ambition is clear: to support people to live independently at home for as long as possible, while improving confidence for both individuals and those caring for them.

This aligns with the wider aims of the DiSC Cymru programme, supporting solutions that enhance independence, improve care experiences and bring together health and social care expertise.

From prototype to next stage development

Through the DiSC-funded proof of concept, KiM has progressed to a validated digital demonstrator, with a clear service journey and content model already established.

KiM has been awarded £45,000 from the Dementia Trust’s new Impact Accelerator programme, an ambitious initiative designed to help develop proven ideas and support them in deployment. The Dementia Trust is a Scotland based charity that has spent over 40 years improving the lives of people living with dementia, their carers and the professionals who support them.

This next round of funding will support KiM to develop the platform into a minimum viable product (MVP), marking an important next step towards real-world deployment.

Future development will focus on:

• creating a fully interactive user experience
• expanding sensory “explorations” and guidance
• integrating personalised recommendations and reporting
• strengthening user testing with people living with dementia and carers

Dylan Harper, Chair of The Dementia Trust, said: “The Impact Accelerator Award programme supports projects that already have a strong evidence and are ready to scale, embed or influence wider policy, practice or service delivery. Kim has made significant progress in demonstrating the difference the platform can make for those living with dementia and their carers. We are pleased to be able to support the next phase of the platform’s development.”

A user-centred approach grounded in lived experience

A key strength of KiM is its co-production approach, combining academic insight with lived experience. Feedback from users highlights the need for tools that are clear, supportive and available at the point when people need them most

By bridging the gap between complex clinical knowledge and everyday life, KiM is helping to create a more accessible and supportive experience for people navigating dementia.

Find out more

Watch the KiM overview here:
Watch the KiM video