Today, we are talking about a few apps and websites that are helping people with dementia keep their brains active. In previous episodes, we’ve talked about how an active brain can potentially slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. If you are interested in learning more about this, visit our website for more information. We are going to be highlighting a few options we have found that you and your loved one may want to explore. Now let’s move on to the rest of the show.

 

An active brain can help slow the progress of dementia and other memory-impairing diseases. Doing daily exercises may help a person with dementia recall memories longer. One easy way to keep your brain active is by using the technology around you. In today’s world, we can access almost anything using a smartphone or computer, so why not use technology to help people with dementia?

 

The majority of people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias today are over 65. Many of these individuals are not what you would call tech-savvy, but many apps and websites today are designed specifically for seniors with dementia. They are easy to use and engaging.

 

The first app we want to tell you about today is called MindMate. It was created by three volunteer caregivers, Patrick, Suzanne, and Roger. The three have said they created MindMate because “Watching people we cared for succumb to memory loss left us with the belief that there must be something we can do to help the ones we love. Why weren’t there any tools to help care for those with Alzheimer’s and Dementia and keep caregivers sane?”

 

According to MindMate.com, united in their dedication to creating more resources, the three decided to develop a mobile app for other caregivers like themselves. With the help of Dr. Terry Quinn from the University of Glasgow’s Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, the team began to translate contemporary research in Dementia care into an actionable, digital platform. Based on this research, the MindMate App was born.

 

Estate Planning and Elder Law Services says that this free app, available for Apple, Android, and computers, offers brain games and workouts to help with attention, memory, problem-solving, and cognitive speed. MindMate also features other tools to stimulate brain and general health, promoting good nutrition, physical exercise, mental stimulation, and social interaction. The site allows you to take a memory test online and promptly emails you your results.

 

Another app similar to MindMate that you may be familiar with is Lumosity. It is one of the earlier brain-training apps in the market and there’s a reason that it is still widely used today.

 

According to Lumosity, there have been over 20 peer-reviewed publications in academic journals using Lumosity games or assessments. In one study, our scientists conducted a randomized trial involving 4,715 participants in order to study whether cognitive performance improves after training with Lumosity. The test group trained with Lumosity, while the control group trained using crossword puzzles. Both groups trained five days per week, for fifteen minutes a day.

 

After ten weeks, the Lumosity group improved in performance across a battery of cognitive assessments. In fact, they improved more than twice as much as the control group did.* More specifically, the Lumosity group showed statistically significant improvements on subtests of working memory, arithmetic reasoning, and processing speed.

 

There is a free version of the app, or you can pay $11.95 a month to have access to all that the app offers.

 

Another unique app we came across is the Spaced Retrieval App by Tactus Therapy. Tactus Therapy explains that this Spaced Retrieval Therapy app uses the scientifically proven method of spaced retrieval training to help people with dementia or other memory impairments to recall important information. Recalling an answer over multiplying intervals of time, such as 1 minute, 2 minutes, 8 minutes, and so on, helps to cement the information in memory.

 

Spaced Retrieval Therapy is an enhanced interval timer with independent data tracking and prompts. It automatically increases the time between prompts with correct responses and decreases it with incorrect ones. This app will help clinicians, family members, and students keep track of the intervals and performance as they practice up to 3 memory targets.

 

This app is specifically geared towards helping people with dementia remember new information longer. The app requires a one-time payment of $4.99.

 

Communication and strengthening existing social connections and relationships can help improve someone with dementia’s overall health. Many people with dementia want to maintain their relationships, but find themselves pulling away from their loved ones because they may not be able to easily follow conversations or stress over what others will think of them after a dementia diagnosis.

 

According to the creators of AmuseIT, isolation can be a problem for those living with dementia, and it can be difficult for those who care for them to know how to engage.

 

AmuseIT is an app designed to promote conversation. It contains over 1000 simple quiz questions with a strong visual component.

 

In addition to facilitating connection between dementia patients and caregivers who use the app, AmuseIT stimulates memory and reasoning and is easy to use, even for those intimidated by technology. You can buy the app for $3.49.

 

Your loved one may repeatedly call you or others as their disease progresses. Someone with dementia may not remember calling you only two minutes prior and call you several times. If your loved one is in a care facility and is having trouble adjusting to a new environment, they may also want to call you repeatedly and become agitated when they are unable to talk with you.

 

According to Estate Planning and Elder Law Services, Alz Calls is a chatbot designed for patients who repeatedly ask for their family, struggle with transitions to new environments, or need social interaction. Family members can record their voice, add a photo that will pop up for the patient to recognize, and answer frequent questions so that the patient can have an interactive conversation when the caregiver is not available to talk.

 

You can record yourself saying numerous phrases by following prompts provided by Alz Calls or making them yourself. A caregiver will help your loved one use the patient side of Alz Calls and will respond to their calls using your recordings. You have full access to all calls that your loved one makes through Alz Calls. Recordings are stored for two weeks at a time.

 

One therapy app that we are interested in is Constant Therapy. Constant Therapy Health talks about their app, saying that by combining AI and real-world evidence in our easy-to-use app, we’re delivering clinically proven, personalized brain exercises that can help people reignite their cognitive, speech, and language abilities. And we’re continuously optimizing the world’s understanding of the factors contributing to brain health so that we can serve people across a range of neurological conditions.

 

You can use the app on your own or with a clinician. The app is $24.99 a month but has a yearly option that includes an Amazon tablet, too.

 

The last thing we want to bring up today is a website called MEternally. This website is best suited for those that are not used to technology and would rather participate in offline activities. MEternally offers activity cards, videos, games, and other physical products that help people with dementia connect and reminisce with those around them.

 

MEternally tells us that they believe that our mix of life experiences, professional expertise and willingness to speak honestly about dementia, creates an environment where we are able to create products that are meaningful and thoughtful. Our own personal experiences with family members affected by Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's Diseases reinforces our personal commitment to not just those with diagnosis of one of these horrific diseases but to those with other forms of dementia.

 

Reminiscence benefits not only those with dementia. When we tell people about our lives, we are sharing our history and our identity. By viewing photo collections we initiate conversations about our favorite things and share our life stories with others. This allows us to reflect on the things and people in our present and past. By doing so we are preserving and sharing our history and reflecting on our worth and the importance of our own existence.

 

If you would like to learn more about any of the apps or websites we talked about today, visit our show notes for the resources we used today. Do you have any favorite apps or websites that you or a loved one with dementia uses? Let us know on our website or social media pages!

 

We want to say thank you for joining us here at All Home Care Matters, All Home Care Matters is here for you and to help families as they navigate these long-term care issues. Please visit us at allhomecarematters.com there is a private secure fillable form there where you can give us feedback, show ideas, or if you have questions. Every form is read and responded to. If you know someone who could benefit from this episode please make sure to share it with them.

 

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Sources:

https://www.formyplan.com/elder-law/alzheimers-dementia/2020/02/26/ten-apps-and-other-activities-for-people-with-dementia-and-alzheimers/

 

https://www.mindmate-app.com/

 

https://www.lumosity.com/en/

 

https://tactustherapy.com/app/srt/

 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tactustherapy.srt

 

http://www.amuseit.nz/?fbclid=IwAR2EE9Gz0U_yiHgFompLtaVwvljj1l4lcm0llSj_GKaVF55NwNuq11Z91A4

 

https://alzcalls.com/instructions

 

https://constanttherapyhealth.com/constant-therapy/

 

https://meternally.com/