Why We Focus on Out-of-Home Autonomy

The foundation of our mission at Simon has always been straightforward, however difficult it may be to achieve: to promote and protect independence outside of the home for people living with dementia. 

The reasons for this are many, each with significant cascading value. More and more research supports our mission as being key to health and longevity not just for people living with dementia, but their family members and carers as well. 

But before we get into the research, it is worth mentioning another reason grounding us in this mission: that people with dementia are people first, they deserve to be happy, to be treated with dignity and humanity. Far too many solutions out there count people with dementia as secondary beneficiaries, or more often, burdens to be dealt with. 

At Simon we know that isn’t true. We’ve been lucky to work with people with dementia at every step in designing and building our product. People with whom we’ve shared many laughs. Brave and brilliant people, fathers and mothers and brothers and sisters. People with hobbies, community leaders, some people with very vibrant dating lives. 

They have shared with us their time, their stories, their difficulties and their joys. Their love for long walks, their frustration with technology, their diagnosis at age 50 and what it means for their teenage children. Each conversation has been a reminder of the complex humanity in people with dementia, that they are more than their pathology, despite what many may think, or see on tv and in film. There is joy and heartbreak, love and boredom, and mostly a desire to just get on with the day and make it a good one. 

That is what we aim to do at Simon. That is our north star. To help people with dementia get on with their day and make it a good one. Because people with dementia are people first, and we all deserve to be treated with dignity and humanity, a chance to be happy. 

And the cold, hard research supports our mission overwhelmingly. Helping people with dementia stay independent outdoors not only improves their well-being, it also eases the pressure on families, carers, and the wider health system.

We now know that dementia is shaped not just by biology, but also by psychological and social factors. When people lose social networks, their risk of decline increases dramatically (Fratiglioni et al., 2000).[^1] On top of this, stigma around dementia can create what researchers call “excess disability” — a loss of confidence and autonomy that goes beyond the illness itself (Reifler & Larson, 1989).[^2] Put simply: if we only focus on medical treatment and ignore independence and dignity, people can deteriorate faster than they should.

Because of these insights, research is increasingly turning toward ways to promote independence, autonomy, and social connection (Yates et al., 2019).[^3] This aligns closely with Simon’s mission: supporting out-of-home navigation is not only about dignity and quality of life, but also about reducing the practical burden on carers and cutting costs to the health system.

The financial argument is hard to ignore. In 2024, the total cost of dementia in the UK was estimated at £42.5–46.3 billion (Carnall Farrar, 2024).[^4] Of this, unpaid care by families made up nearly half, with social care accounting for another 40–46%. A third of health costs are tied to hospital stays, and dementia patients occupy a disproportionate number of emergency beds (Sommerlad et al., 2019; The Independent, 2024).[^5][^6] As people live longer, dementia prevalence will only rise, widening the gap between available resources and what families actually need (The Guardian, 2022; Maguire et al., 2021; Hamblin, 2020).[^7][^8][^9]

Researchers and policymakers are therefore looking seriously at dementia technology as part of the solution. Reviews highlight a range of home-based tools: pressure mats (McKenzie et al., 2013),[^10] door alerts (Williams et al., 2013),[^11] video monitoring (König et al., 2015; Behera et al., 2021),[^12][^13] and voice assistants like Alexa (Wright, 2021; Shu & Woo, 2021).[^14][^15] Each has strengths, but almost all share a major limitation: they stop at the front door. They can’t help when someone with dementia goes for a walk, visits friends, or risks becoming lost (D’Onofrio et al., 2017).[^16]

That’s why out-of-home solutions are so important. GPS-based systems have shown real promise. Early trials suggest both carers and people with dementia find these tools acceptable and even reassuring. One study found that carers felt GPS tracking eased their anxiety, while people with dementia reported feeling safer and more confident (Liu et al., 2017).[^17] Another feasibility trial compared older adults with and without mild dementia and found that smartphones could support navigation even at the earliest stages (Kwan et al., 2020).[^18] These kinds of tools don’t just prevent crises — they give back everyday confidence and freedom.

At Simon, we are building on this evidence base in two key ways. First, we’re moving beyond the traditional carer–care recipient pair to create a triad of support: people with dementia, carers, and care professionals working together (Fortinsky, 2001).[^19] Second, instead of adapting generic GPS devices, we are co-designing our dementia care technology hand-in-hand with people with dementia and their families. By prototyping and testing in real-world contexts, we aim to deliver a solution that is practical, person-centered, and focused on the reality of living well with dementia.

Our north star remains clear: helping people with dementia get on with their day, safely and independently, with dignity intact. The research shows us this is possible — and the people we work with remind us every day why it matters.