Exploring the role health apps can play in managing dementia and caring for those affected
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Top 3 Dementia Apps
Despite the fact that there are currently estimated to be over 46 million people worldwide living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, dementia still often carries a social stigma and can be hidden away within families and communities.
In support of World Alzheimer’s Month, an international campaign running throughout September to raise awareness and challenge the stigma that surrounds dementia, we are exploring the role health apps can play in managing dementia and caring for those affected.
According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, the worldwide costs of dementia are estimated at £671 billion. As a result, if dementia care were a country, it would be the world’s 18th largest economy. If it were a company, it would be the world’s largest by annual revenue. Given this cost of dementia care and the fact that there is one new case of dementia worldwide every three seconds, additional support is necessary to meet the increased demand for dementia care.
Health apps can make a huge difference to dementia patients by offering an extra level of support. Apps range from memory muscle, to tracking the whereabouts of a loved one, to Young Onset Dementia. ORCHA helps to meet the demand and need for trustworthy dementia apps by assessing relevant apps in terms of their Clinical Assurance, Data Privacy and User Experience.
Here are three top scoring apps, reviewed by ORCHA, that are designed to help people with dementia and their carers:
DST: Dementia Test is a medical device that can help to detect the early stages of dementia, and can be used over a prolonged period by allowing users to save their results.
Dementia guide for carers and care providers is a pocket guide for both care providers and carers of people with dementia, providing information on a range of topics from people who have firsthand experience of caring for those with dementia.
TabCare is an app that incorporates a Panic Alarm, location tracker and heart-rate monitor. A patient can press the Panic Alarm at any moment to alert their carer, who will then receive location information so that the user can receive the help they need.
Due to our continual re-review process, all app scores are subject to change. As such, we’d always encourage you to view our app reviews on our App Library, as this reflects Live data and app updates which are continuously changing. Our re-review process ensures that the most up-to-date information for the latest version of an app can be accessed via our App Library.