More than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease.
“We are at a turning point in what science tells us about brain health,” said Joanne Pike, DrPH, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association. “Research shows it is never too early — or too late — to take action.”
Thanks to assistive technology, it’s easier to take action now than ever before. In honor of Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, we’re going to explore AT that not only assists with memory loss but improves brain health.
Mind-Stimulating Technology
The first piece of AT is low-tech but effective, nonetheless. It’s a simple board game called Call-to-Mind. Designed to promote communication across generations, it involves 200 question cards to stimulate memories and encourage conversation among players. Dementia worsens with isolation, especially for seniors, so bringing this game into family gatherings and care settings is a great way of keeping people with memory loss active and engaged.
The next low-tech AT device is even designed to look old-fashioned and simple! Reminiscent of a 1950s home radio, the Simple Music Player works right out of the box with pre-loaded big band tunes, but users can also upload their own MP3 music files. Research shows that “playing music to people with dementia from their formative years vastly improves their cognizance and lucidity — the effects are dramatic and are widely recognized by dementia and Alzheimer’s professionals.”
Idem Smart Clock
Designed for people with dementia as well as their caregivers, this touchscreen device not only shows the time and date; it also displays appointment and medication reminders, alarms, messages and photos. And it allows for video calls. With the Idem Companion App, caregivers can seamlessly manage the clock’s features from their smartphones or tablets. This is another useful tool for keeping people with cognitive decline from becoming socially isolated. The Idem Smart Clock keeps them in the loop with caregivers and loved ones.
Managing Memory with Apps
When it comes to just about any need these days, “there’s an app for that” — as the Apple slogan goes. That is certainly true for memory loss needs and brain health in general.
CanPlan
Available for free from Apple and Google Play, this app provides a step-by-step guide through daily tasks, which users can customize with text, photos, audio and video. It gives clear directions for everything from doing a load of laundry to making a cup of coffee. It also delivers reminders of things that need to be done at a specific time, such as going to a doctor’s appointment.
Medisafe
Ranked #1 by pharmacists out of hundreds of apps, this free app not only reminds users to take their medication; it also lets their doctors and loved ones track their overall health.
“It’s nice to be able to connect the app to a family member so they can keep track of you and check in on you,” Easterseals Crossroads Vice President of Adult Services Brian Norton said in a recent episode of Assistive Technology FAQ. “When you need to take a pill, it will give you a reminder and you have an option to be able to snooze it or to say, ‘I’ve taken (my dose).’ If you don’t click the button that says you’ve taken it, it will notify a family member that you missed a dose.”
The app not only delivers a simple reminder; it also provides an image of the medication and information about its adverse interactions with other meds. In addition, it allows users to track their weight, blood sugar, blood pressure, etc.
BrainHQ
This app is “raising the bar on brain training.” To get an idea of the pedigree behind BrainHQ, take the fact that it was designed by an international team of neuroscientists, led by Dr. Michael Merzenich — the co-inventor of the cochlear implant who is also famous for his discovery of adult brain plasticity, the brain’s ability to remodel itself.
The exercises in the app involve recognizing patterns, identifying matching items and keeping track of moving objects, to name a few activities. They’ve been tested in more than 100 published scientific papers. Studies show that the exercises drive real change, including a reduction in at-fault car crashes, an increase in brain activation and stronger connections between brain regions.
“We all forget things. It’s a universal part of life,” said Easterseals Crossroads Director of Assistive Technology Josh Anderson. “These forms of assistive technology have universal design in mind, as they truly help everyone regardless of their ability or level of brain function. Whether it’s a board game or an app designed by neuroscientists, there are plenty of tools out their to support brain health.”
Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month image courtesy of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Call-to-Mind images courtesy of The Alzheimer’s Store.
Simple Music Player image courtesy of The Alzheimer’s Store.
Idem Smart Clock image courtesy of Idem.
CanPlan image courtesy of Apple.
Medisafe image courtesy of Medisafe.
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