iPad for elderly/dementia

McCashew - are there any iPad apps that you find useful for people with Alzheimer's? My mother enjoys match-game type activities with a set of cards I have. The items are all realistic pictures...not cartoony drawings obviously meant for children. I know there must be some others apps out there as well that would perhaps be the beginning of reminiscing conversations. Today my Mom, who was an avid gardener, was mesmorized by a Lowe's add that was a time-lapse of a garden blooming. I'm thinking there must be some apps with touch/response capability such as this but again, ones that aren't juvenile. I would appreciate your suggestions!

As I am writing this, there are 9,140 views of this thread but very few posts. There is obviously great need and interest in this topic. Apple, you offer so much for children with disabilities and education of young people. Do you have any programs for people like me to test the iPad in the field of aging? As a caregiver, I interact with people with Alzheimer's and dementia and their families every day when I spend time with my Mom. I recently lost my job and have no way to afford an iPad but I would be thrilled to be part of a study that would perhaps provide an iPad to her nursing home as a pilot.

southrnflower, in hospice I work with end stage Alzheimer's and as such, I use pretty simple apps because anything too advanced becomes frustrating. The list provided above is an excellent beginning - I find that my patients respond best to three types of apps; Expression (Drawing and Doodling), Experiential (Nature, Observation, Life Skills), and Music (Listening and Creating). The music ones are very effective because the reward for touching the screen is immediate. One not listed above that my patients particularly enjoy is a guitar, they love strumming. I recently made amazing progress with a very closed off patient and an app that offers a banjo called MisoMusic. One app that is not listed that my patients love and ask to do again and again is Cake Doodle. There are several put out by one company that allow you to add ingredients from a recipe, mix the batter, bake the cake and then decorate it (also cookie doodle, candy doodle, and another that is for frozen treats). My 5 year old dtr LOVES this game and I tried it on a lark with a woman one day and the response was incredible. I feel, without any scientific proof, that there is some sort of body memory related to cooking that I might be tapping into, but that is just a guess. The app is very entertaining. Don't overlook the beauty of Pandora either. Being able to play a genre of music for a person at will is incredible valuable, especially with this population. For someone who has LT memories it can assist them greatly! Does this help.

Also - I echo your sentiments. That is a lot of hits, there is clearly an interest and a need for information in this area.I am going to look into a way I can conduct some research, but I current work for a "for profit" organization which would make this a challenge.

Stay tuned!

Hi,

While researching on my Post-Graduate project I came across your post.I am in the process of creating an app for patients suffering from Alzheimer .I am currently at the initial stage of project.The main focus is on vERY VERY EASY INTERFACE and It should be on a 10 inch tablet .

I really would like to discuss more about this with you and get valuable inputs from you ....(If my app could be meaningful to at least one person in this world then I have done my job).

I intend to create an intelligent scheduler that is very simple and easy to use, emergency button,remote texting of messages by caretakers to patients tablet,etc.....

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Hello. This thread is very useful. If anyone is developing apps for early onset forms of dementia it would be so helpful to learn more. My family member has frontotemporal dementia and was able to easily navigate the earlier look of iPad. Changing familiar icons has thrown a wrench into his ability to do so independent of me. Perhaps another app for internet searching other than Safari might work, if such a thing exists.

We are considering an iPad for my mother who has had a stroke and the beginnings of some dementia. What I would really love is an app that shows on the main screen something like "hello, Jean, today is Monday October 10 and the time is 7:00 in the morning." Then it would sync with a google calendar to remind her of appointments or events that could be created by someone else. She is also dying to use her email again but can't manage a regular computer. Does anyone have any experience or advice to share?

Given that the aspect has not been discussed yet, may I also suggest about equipping the iPads with adequate protection to save them from the inevitable bumps and drops?

At first blush I was thinking along the lines of a LifeProof nüüd case, which affords improved handling, maximum moisture and considerable impact protection while leaving the touchscreen unencumbered for max response. Or an equivalent from other makers. They don't cover the latest iPad Air but state to be working on it.

I am a Recreation Therapist and just got an ipad to use with my patients. I just wanted to let you know about a reminiscing app that was made by a Recreation Therapist. It is called Promenade. Promenade is an app designed for family members and caregivers to use when visiting loved ones living with dementia or related illnesses. It is great to use because you are able to type in a word and the picture will pop up. There is also questions on the side that cue you questions to ask. The only downfall is that you need wifi for it to work, however the creator is working on changing the app so that you do not need the internet.

I'm sorry to hear that. This is so desperately needed and with all the technology available in the world today, we ought to be able to figure out how to help our precious elderly! Thank you for trying, and please don't give up. It's clear from the responses here that I am not the only one in need of a tool to communicate with my parents remotely. Thank you.

Hi there,

I have a slightly different question. I had to put both of my parents into care simultaneously a while ago with Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. They would love to be able to Skype with me and my brother but giving them access to the internet would not be a great decision. Does anyone know if it is possible to disable all apps including safari apart from Skype on an iPad?

Thank you.

Our group at the universities of Sheffield/Toronto have also done a lot of research with touchscreen technology and dementia. We have recently launched a website for our AcTo Dementia project that recommends 'dementia-friendly' apps for the iPad - www.actodementia.com - using an evidence-based review process. The site also features guides to support the use of iPads with people living with dementia and information about our research.

would you be in connection with any Canadian sources that have use/implement of ipad with Alzheimer's or dementia in nursing home room. I am moving to a different province from my Mom and would love to be able to facetime her. She may not know my name, or even recognize me, but I know she lights up when she sees or hears myself or my children.

Before you fall in love with the "WOW! Computer", you should check this out: http://www.pomeradonews.com/2011/06/01/simplified-computers-for-seniors/

This is a great forum. @JennaF, Those links no longer work a year later, could you share the updated links with this thread?