iPad for elderly/dementia

My girlfriend and I make an app called Postcards, aimed at the elderly, that lets them receive photos, videos and messages from their family. We only just launched but we have a few users in their nineties that are able to use it without difficulty, and a retirement home that specializes in dementia that's interested in getting it for all their residents. So it's not fully tested in this situation yet, but I'd love to have a conversation with any of the people on here about seeing if it helps. You can see how it works at www.postcardsapp.com - if anyone would like to discuss it please let me know at rich [at] postcardsapp.com. My own grandmother struggled with Alzheimers and it would be great to feel like something I've made might help others with that.

Thanks,

Rich.

I am very interested in Jenna's work with iPads and people with Alzheimer's/dementia. The links she provides are no longer active and the last one posted in January, 2011. I would like to start up the discussion again, locate more resources and especially hear about experienes others might have. I would ulimately like to write a grant or otherwise convince administators at the nursing home where my Mom lives to purchase an iPad. Supporting documentation of success would be very helpful. Thanks for your help!

I know this is going to sound like blasphemy on a Apple site, but there is a computer designed especially with seniors in mind.

http://www.mywowcomputer.com/

It runs Linux, it has it's own software and doesn't need anti-virus or all that.

My mother is 87 with severe dementia (on most days) but she does love games. Word search games are her favorite and she also enjoys alpha tots and alpha math. These are not too difficult and more importantly they keep her engaged. She also finds Koi Pond amusing. Occasionally she will read a news article - but I do make the font size HUGE - go to settings to change it.

I recently discovered this thread and want to thank the contributors for the specific applications they provided. As a hospice social worker, I have begun to use this device with patients living with end stage Alzheimers. Is anyone aware of any research being done with this population and utilizing the iPad to engage and provide patients with support?

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!

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/