Dementia app which uses how-to videos wins £100,000 in funding

Thousands of dementia patients could soon benefit from an app that reminds them how to do simple tasks.

The charity Alzheimer's Society has awarded £100,000 to the 'How do I?' app, which reminds sufferers how to boil a kettle, for example, with 'how to' videos.

Juice Drops, sweets that are 90 per cent water, received the same financial backing after wowing a panel of judges from the charity.

The app and sweets could help up to 120,000 people living alone with dementia, the Alzheimer’s Society predicts - a figure that is set to double in the next 20 years.  

Thousands of dementia patients could soon benefit from an app that reminds them how to do simple tasks such as boiling a kettle. Pictured, How Do I? in use

Thousands of dementia patients could soon benefit from an app that reminds them how to do simple tasks such as boiling a kettle. Pictured, How Do I? in use

Dehydration is a huge problem in people with dementia. Lewis Hornby is behind Juice Drops, pictured being eaten by his grandmother, Pat, who was hospitalised with dehydration after forgetting to drink enough water

Dehydration is a huge problem in people with dementia. Lewis Hornby is behind Juice Drops, pictured being eaten by his grandmother, Pat, who was hospitalised with dehydration after forgetting to drink enough water

Juice Drops are sweets that contain 90 per cent water in various flavours. The product received £100,000 in funding by the Alzheimer's Society

Juice Drops are sweets that contain 90 per cent water in various flavours. The product received £100,000 in funding by the Alzheimer's Society

Almost 50 people submitted ideas they thought could improve the lives of people with dementia to the Alzheimer's Society, in the first year of a new funding scheme.

The devastating disorder causes memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem solving and doing simple tasks. It gets progressively worse over time.

Dementia strikes people emotionally as well as physically, affecting their communication and interactions with people they once knew very well but who now feel like strangers.

Around 850,000 people are estimated to be living with dementia in the UK. Around five million live with it in the US. Rates are expected to rise as people live longer.

WHAT IS DEMENTIA? 

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders, that is, conditions affecting the brain.

There are many different types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.

Some people may have a combination of types of dementia.

Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own unique way.

Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.

Currently there is no cure for dementia.

But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted the more effective treatments are.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?

The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are more than 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK today, of which more than 500,000 have Alzheimer's.

It is estimated that the number of people living with dementia in the UK by 2025 will rise to over 1 million.

In the US, it's estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer's sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.

As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.

Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.  

At first, someone with dementia may be able to continue living at home. But it’s likely they will end up needing help with daily activities such as housework, shopping and cooking.

The How do I? app, which already exists, was initially made by the company of the same name to help people with learning disabilities.

The funding will be used to refine the app so the needs of those affected with dementia can benefit, too.

Patients will be able to record videos on the app, like a video diary, which will remind them of their routine and how things work in their own home.

As well as this, families can input photos and videos that remind the dementia sufferer of treasured memories.

How Do I? chief executive Taryl Law, who was thrilled with the funding, said they are in the process of figuring out the best way to prompt people to use the app.

She said: 'Right now, people affected by dementia are usually prompted to access the content by their carer or loved one.

‘We also use bright and easily-identifiable contactless stickers to launch the video content. This works for a lot of people, but we know it won’t work for everyone.'

Rachel, whose partner David has dementia, has been trialling the app and said: 'Video can

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