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Timex Data Link Watch :

This wristworn, simplified PDA is far and away the best reminder watch on the market: practically indestructible, easy to program, with a large memory and insistent reminder alarm, the Data Link is also inexpensive (less than $70). For people who only need reminder alarms to help them stay on task during the day (reminders for medications, appointments, and other activities, for instance), the Data Link is usually my choice.

In order to program this device, however, the user must have a Windows OS personal computer. The watch comes with a cd that is loaded onto a personal computer, providing a pop-up calendar where daily event reminders can be entered and downloaded to the watch via a USB cord. This sounds complicated, but it is actually quite simple. The Data Link software also includes an address book section, good for storing useful phone numbers, and a memo section, where users may store passwords or locker numbers.

Some of my clients have found PDAs daunting. If they have a caregiver to program the watch, however, all they need to do is: (1) hear the alarm reminder beep, (2) read the reminder message scrolling across the watch face, (3) push a button on the watch to turn off the alarm, and (4) perform the task they were reminded to do. This is the most basic skill-set that a person must have in order to benefit from an automated reminder system. If a person can do those four things, then they can benefit from a Data Link watch. If they cannot do so, then they are not likely to benefit from any electronic reminder device.

Digital Audio Recorders:

Available for under $100 from office supply stores, many digital recorders can be used as reminder systems. The user records a prompt in her/his own voice, then types in a date/time for the message to be automatically replayed. You don't need a personal computer or anything else (except AA batteries) to use one of these smaller than pocket-size devices. The drawbacks are that it can be complicated pushing all the right buttons in the right sequence to record a reminder alarm (something many people have difficulty remembering how to do), and you cannot record repeating reminders (for instance a medication prompt that would go off every day at the same time).

Alphasmart Dana mini-laptop with Palm Software:

Alphasmart mini-laptops are staples in many school systems. Lightweight, versatile, sturdy and relatively inexpensive, they are often used by students who have difficulty with handwriting. When you move up to the Dana, you also get a Palm organizer onboard, which has allowed my clients to keep track of assignments and remember other daily tasks, while also doing their homework on the Dana and beaming it directly to their teacher the next day. Dana drawbacks include the somewhat dim monochrome screen, and the necessity to use a stylus to select Palm functions. For people with dexterity problems who need keyboard input, that's not a small problem. The new Dana includes wireless Internet access, but again, the small monochrome screen makes web-surfing not so much fun.

Wireless PDA Keyboards:

While we're discussing dexterity issues, another solution for PDA users is the addition of a wireless portable keyboard. Wallet-sized when folded up, they are nearly full-sized when open, and turn your PDA into a mini-laptop of sorts. Palm, Targus and Belkin make good versions.

Pagers and Cell Phone Reminder Text Messages:

The NeuroPage, a reminder paging system, is one of the earliest electronic cognitive aids to have been well researched. Research participants liked them and found them useful. They carried the pager around, and received pre-programmed reminder prompts to perform daily activities. A company called PageMinder offers this service in the U.S., and any generic paging system can work just as well. The drawback to pagers is similar to that for cell phones: You have to pay a monthly fee to use the service.

If you have a cell phone with text messaging enabled, there are several companies that allow you to email free text message reminders to your phone. Using these free utilities can be cumbersome, however, since you cannot program in repeating reminders as you can with a PDA. Text messaging is also an add-on feature to any cell phone plan, with its accompanying additional monthly charge.

There are a number of other tools that can be used as assistive technology for cognition in home and community environments, but these are the primary devices we have used so far in our research. Let's look now at how to go about using AT for cognition with your clients who have acquired brain injury.