7 Apps for People Living With Dementia
Here’s what you should download onto your phone, tablet or laptop, whether you’re suffering dementia yourself or caring for those who do.
Here’s what you should download onto your phone, tablet or laptop, whether you’re suffering dementia yourself or caring for those who do.
From to-do lists that keep track of your daily activities to dementia-friendly games, designed to exercise your brain and keep your mind active. We’ve rounded up the best apps for the 850,000 Brits affected by dementia, putting help at your fingertips…
1. MindMate
Cost: FREE
Play eight games on MindMate to keep focussed and exercise your mind – world-leading researchers designed the app to stimulate the grey matter in your brain, keeping it ticking over, which is why this is more than a multi-award-winning bit of fun. Want more? Watch movies, dance to hits from the 40s to the 80s or live a healthier lifestyle, thanks to the nutritional advice and physical exercises on offer. If you’re suffering from early stage dementia, use the ‘Everyday Tools’ to make notes, to-do lists and reminders.
Learn more here.
2. It’s Done
Cost: £2.99
‘It’s Done’ remembers your daily tasks for you, so even if you forget, it’ll keep your day on track – making it more productive, safer and less stressful. Simply type your to-do list or create one by choosing up to 40 common jobs in the ‘Task Library’. Arrange them in priority order – everything from taking your medication to locking your front door or switching your kitchen hobs off. When you tick them off, you’ll see a date and time stamp, and if your family want peace of mind, you can opt to send them automatic updates about completed tasks, by text or email.
Learn more here.
3. Pocket Pond 2
Cost: FREE
Imagine feeding koi fish and watching them swim around a pond you decorated. In fact, there’s a very relaxing app for that, Pocket Pond 2 – and you don’t even need the internet to play it. Feel the koi fish nibbling at your fingers or make ripples with your fingertips in the water. It’s a fun escape from the frustrations, stress and worries that dementia can cause.
Learn more here.
4. Word Search: Find the Hidden Words
Cost: FREE
It doesn’t matter if you forget a letter or even add an extra one, because your word will be accepted on ‘Find The Hidden Words’ – one of the most dementia-friendly, advert-free word search apps. Change the fonts, text size and plain background colour, and play new word searches every month on easy, medium or hard mode. There’s plenty to keep you busy, with topics on everything, from animals to countries, sport to vegetables and beyond.
Learn more here.
5. Amyloids
Cost: FREE
Enjoy classic arcade games from the 70s and 80s? Play 24 levels of Amyloids, created by Alzheimer’s Research UK. It’s named after the harmful proteins that build up in the brain during diseases like dementia. And, like the scientists fighting to discover breakthrough treatments, you’ll battle Amyloids until you’re victorious.
6. Memory Box!
Cost: FREE
Friends, family and carers, here’s a particularly helpful app for you. Memory Box is full to bursting with conversation starters, helping you to strike up meaningful conversations with dementia sufferers – about everything from famous events and people, to places and topics from the 20th century. Think John F Kennedy and Ford cars. So, what are you waiting for? Save your favourites and get chatting.
7. Piano Free with Songs
Cost: FREE
Turn your iPhone or iPad into a piano and play over 1,500 songs, even if you’ve never played before! Piano Free with Songs will help you play anything from pop to classical, rock to Disney tunes on a grand piano or harpsichord, electric keyboard, organ or glockenspiel – each looking and sounding like the real thing. You can even speed the songs up or slow them down. Alternatively, embrace your inner Beethoven and play your own songs – the app will transform them into sheet music.
Learn more here.
So that's your guide to the digital world. When you need help navigating the real world with mobility aids, please call 0800 567 7618 or contact us here.
Cover image copyright Gustavo Devito, licensed for use under Creative Commons.