La Alzheimer disease And other dementias are increasingly present in our daily lives. Increased life expectancy means more people are affected, and consequently, more families and caregivers are involved. This whole situation is difficult, demanding, and often exhausting, so having tools to help us can make a big difference in everyone's quality of life.
In recent years, mobile technology has stepped up its game and new technologies have emerged Apps designed specifically for people with Alzheimer's, their families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. There applications for monitoring security and locationThey can be used to stimulate the mind, organize medication and medical appointments, find resources and associations, and even adapt the home or improve communication within the family. Let's look at them in detail, organized by type of use.
Apps for information, support and training for caregivers
The work of primary caregiver (whether at home or at work) involves making constant decisions, managing emotions, and solving practical problems around the clock. Several apps focus on providing reliable information, guidelines, and even contact with associations and other caregivers experiencing the same thing.
Yotecuido Alzheimer / YoTeCuido
Yotecuido is an app developed in collaboration with Association of Relatives of People with Alzheimer's of A Coruña (AFACO)Its aim is to help caregivers face the challenges of daily life with clear, quick answers based on the real experience of other families and professionals.
The application brings together practical content on common situations: changes in behavior, difficulty sleeping, eating problems, home safety, communication with the sick person, managing one's own emotions as a caregiver, etc. It is especially useful when the diagnosis is recent and everything seems like an uphill battle.
is available for Android and iOS It's designed as an informational tool, not a cognitive stimulation system. Its strength lies in transforming complex questions into simple explanations that can be applied at home.
Alzheimer's disease (CEAFA / Alzheimer, CEAFA)
This application, powered by the Confederation of Associations of Relatives of People with Alzheimer's and other Dementias (CEAFA)It functions as a meeting point and resource guide. It allows users to connect with their nearest family association and locate useful services.
Within the app you can search family associations, day centers, residences, professional services, orthopedics, GPS distributors, rehabilitation centers and other social and healthcare resources needed for daily care. It also includes tips for everyday life, basic care guidelines, and a news section with updates, legislative changes, and campaigns related to dementia.
is available for Android and iOSThis makes it easy for very different families to use, both on the go and at home.
Alzheimer's
Developed by the Alzheimer's Foundation SpainThe iAlzheimer app is designed to guide caregivers in daily routines with the person living with Alzheimer's. It includes the well-known "10 golden rules," a series of basic recommendations for organizing daily life with a person with Alzheimer's.
These rules focus on managing conflicts, structuring the day, communicating effectively, preventing risks, and also taking care of the caregiver's own well-beingThe idea is to offer a kind of survival guide for those who live 24 hours a day with the sick person, something for which almost no one is prepared.
is available for Android and iOS, with an approximate cost of €1,39, and is a simple but very valuable tool, especially in the early stages of the process.
MIRELA (for caregivers)
MIRELA is oriented towards training in the care of people with Alzheimer's and other dementiasIt brings together educational content and programs about the disease aimed at non-professional caregivers, with a very practical approach.
Includes information about How to cope with the family situation, relaxation techniques, communication strategies, and family therapy for those caring for people with dementia. It also offers guidelines on basic care, managing behavioral symptoms, and emotional support.
It is currently available for Android and it can be a good foundation for those who want to learn more and take care of their children more safely.
NeuroRHB
NeuroRHB is an application designed for Caregivers of people with acquired brain injury and dementiaIt functions as an interactive guide with personalized advice, adapting the information to the patient's specific profile.
Before starting, the app asks a series of questions about the person's situation: level of mobility, cognitive abilities, emotional state, family environment, etc. From there, it offers specific recommendations in ten areas: mobility, cognition, behavior and emotion, feeding, communication, activities of daily living, home adaptation, medical care, social resources and family support.
Its holistic approach helps caregivers see the situation in a more structured way and know where to begin improving daily life. It is available for iOS and Android.
Apps for cognitive stimulation and mental training
One of the most important lines of work in Alzheimer's care is the Cognitive stimulationIt's not about "curing" the disease, but about slowing down the deterioration, maintaining abilities for as long as possible and, why not, enjoying meaningful activities.
STIMULUS® Home and Stimulis
STIMULUS® Home (also referred to as Stimulis in some texts) is a platform of cognitive stimulation teletherapy designed for the prevention, treatment and monitoring of dementia, mild cognitive impairment and normal aging.
The tool allows professionals to design personalized training programs which the patient can complete from home using a tablet or other device. It includes cognitive impairment screening tests, exercises for memory, attention, language, executive functions, etc., as well as a system for scheduling individual or group sessions.
The most interesting thing is that it generates Automated reports on patient progress, performance, and difficultiesThis helps to adjust treatment. It is primarily aimed at professionals, but it directly impacts the daily lives of older adults and their families.
Grey Matters: Beyond Dementia
GreyMatters proposes a more playful approach through the GamificationIt's an app that uses interactive games and multimedia experiences to keep the minds of people with Alzheimer's or other dementias active.
The application is organized into four sections: “My games”, “My life”, “My world” and “My music”Through these apps, users can participate in personalized activities that blend memories, family photos, meaningful music, and small cognitive challenges. Some of the content is saved in the cloud for access from multiple devices.
Music and personal images have a central role as very powerful stimuli for emotional memory and reminiscence, even in advanced stages of the disease.
AlzhUp, memory bank
AlzhUp is a digital service that combines approved reminiscence therapy with an intelligent system for creating personal memory banks. The idea is to simulate the way the brain stores experiences so they can be used in personalized therapies.
Family members and caregivers can go up photos, videos, audios, music and biographical dataThe platform organizes and presents this information through activities designed to stimulate the patient's autobiographical memory. This helps the person maintain a coherent sense of identity for longer and makes the stimulation sessions more meaningful.
Its objective is, in a way, Reconstruct and store the patient's memory in the cloud to accompany the treatment throughout all phases of the disease.
MindMate
MindMate is an app for health, wellness and brain training aimed at older people, with or without cognitive impairment, as well as those with a family history of dementia or who notice minor memory lapses.
The app offers personalized daily brain games that work on processing speed, memory, attention, and problem-solving. It also includes physical activity plans, healthy recipes, educational content on healthy aging, and a simple daily activity planner.
is available for Android and iOS It is based on scientific studies on cognitive aging. Its interface is quite user-friendly and can be used by both independent seniors and caregivers who want to incorporate exercise into their routine.
Lumosity / Luminosity
Lumosity is one of the brain training programs internationally recognized. Although not designed exclusively for people with Alzheimer's, it can be helpful in early stages or for people at risk of cognitive decline.
It includes a large number of Games that train memory, attention, mental flexibility, processing speed, and problem-solvingThe app adapts the difficulty to the user's results and offers reports on their performance, progress, and strengths or weaknesses.
It has a free version with a limited number of games per day and a paid option that unlocks the entire catalog and custom programs. It can be used both from the web and from its mobile app.
Witty Words
Witty Words is a word game designed for older people who want to stay mentally activeIt is based on crosswords and vocabulary challenges, supported by visually pleasing landscapes to make the experience more entertaining.
The idea is for older adults to have fun while They train cognitive skills such as verbal memory, sustained attention, and linguistic fluency.The game includes a points and achievements system that encourages continued play and improvement.
It can be downloaded for free Android and iOS And while it includes ads, there's a one-time purchase to remove them. It's a simple way to introduce small "mental exercises" into your day without them feeling like a chore.
Apps for memory, reminders, and daily organization
Another large family of applications is geared towards fill memory gaps and to organize daily life: where objects are, when medication needs to be taken, what appointments are pending, etc. They are very useful in initial stages and also as support for the caregiver.
Backup Memory
Backup Memory is an app powered by Samsung designed for People with Alzheimer's and their familiesIt works like a "vitamin-enhanced memory album" that helps to recognize and remember loved ones.
Through photographs and brief descriptions, a kind of Gallery with the faces and basic information of family and close friendsThis way, the person with memory problems can find out who each person is, their name, and their relationship to them. It is available in several languages, including Spanish.
It is especially interesting in the early stages, when the person starts to get confused by names or faces, but still handles the mobile phone or tablet well.
Refresh my memory
Refresh my Memory is a very curious app that allows remember where you have left things at homeThe idea is simple: when the user puts something away (for example, their keys or wallet), they take a photo and can add a note or description. Then, if they can't remember where it is, they just have to check the app.
It is useful for people with mild memory lapses or in the early stages of dementia, and also for forgetful family members who share the home. It is usually available in several languages and is quite intuitive to use.
Alzheimer's Day of the Week
Alzheimer's Day of the Week is a small tool in English designed to help people with dementia. quickly check what day of the week it isreducing temporal disorientation.
The app displays and announces the current date, which can be a helpful tool for those who constantly ask "what day is it today?" and get overwhelmed by not being able to find their way around a calendar. It's very basic, but sometimes simple is best.
CanPlan
CanPlan is geared towards organize daily activities and routines step by stepIt uses images and simple text. Although it is also described as a useful app for people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers, it is especially suitable for those who need clear visual guides to complete tasks.
Sequences can be created for activities such as to wash up, get dressed, prepare a simple meal, go for a walketc. Each step is illustrated with a photo and a brief description, and the person can mark off what they have already done. This reinforces autonomy and reduces constant dependence on the caregiver for small tasks.
Medication Reminder
Medication Reminder is a very complete app for manage medication intakeIt allows you to create recurring reminders of all kinds: every X hours, at specific times of the day, on specific days of the week, in multi-day cycles, etc.
In addition, it has a pill stock controlThe user indicates how many medications they have, and the app alerts them when they are running low so they can be purchased in time. It is especially useful for people taking multiple medications (very common in older adults) and significantly reduces the caregiver's mental load.
It is available in several languages (including Spanish, English and Italian) and for multiple platforms.
Memory Box
Memory Box is designed to support the biographical memory and everyday conversations between the person with Alzheimer's and their environment. The app includes information about historical events, people, places, and topics from the 20th century.
Family members and caregivers can use this content as triggers of memories and topics of conversationIn addition, favorite memories can be stored in a personalized "memory book," mixing historical information with experiences from the person's own life.
This facilitates daily interaction, which often becomes repetitive or tense when memory fails.
Security, geolocation and emergency apps
One of the most serious risks of Alzheimer's is the spatial disorientationThe person may leave home and not know how to get back, or get lost in an environment they previously knew without a problem. This is where location, alert, and SOS apps come into play, providing peace of mind to both the person with the condition and their family.
Tweri
Tweri is an application developed in coordination with Alzheimer's family associations, designed to increase the autonomy of the person with dementia in their outings and, at the same time, offer security to the caregiver.
It allows you to define a security zone (for example, the neighborhood) and a maximum time for the walk. If the person leaves that area or exceeds the scheduled time, the caregiver receives an alert with the mobile phone's location.
is available for Android and iPhoneIt is free and has become one of the go-to apps for families who want to continue fostering independence without taking excessive risks.
Safe365
Safe365 is an app of Family location with GPS Very popular, it's also used for the care of elderly people with cognitive impairment. It allows you to see in real time the location of family members who have agreed to share their location.
In addition to location, Safe365 offers daily reminders for important routines such as taking medication, exercising, or attending medical appointments. It also includes a emergency button which can connect with the region's emergency services, providing an extra layer of security.
is available for Android and iOSAnd it's a good option for families who don't want to use several different apps for location and basic organization.
Send
Senda combines a SOS geolocation device with a mobile app for family members. The device, which is usually worn by the elderly person, has a help button and a hands-free function.
From the app, caregivers can View real-time location, schedule alerts, call the device directly, and receive notifications if anomalous situations are detected. It is especially useful for older people who are not comfortable using a smartphone but can carry a simple device.
Safe 365, Comfort Zone Check-In, Map4Map and other locators
In addition to the above, there are other apps for location and control of safe zones that can be adapted to different profiles:
- Comfort Zone Check-In: Free app in English that allows caregivers to stay connected with their loved one, showing their address and alerting them if they leave areas defined as safe.
- Map4Map link family phones: locator that sends an alarm to the caregiver's mobile phone when the affected person crosses the previously defined comfort zone.
- Oldie Finder: Free application, in Spanish, aimed at easily locating elderly people with dementia.
- Family Locator – GPS Phone Tracker: family locator that offers constant communication between family members and allows you to see their position on the map.
- GeoZilla Family Locator: free application that notifies you when a person enters or leaves certain areas, useful for monitoring routines (for example, entering and leaving the house).
- Locate it: GPS locator: Android app that shows the location of a mobile phone even without an internet connection, which is very useful if the elderly person moves around areas with poor coverage.
- Find me (Caregiver)It allows you to keep track of one or more people, offering greater peace of mind in families where there are several elderly people or patients who require monitoring.
- Visual ME: turns the mobile phone into a real-time locator, so that the location of the person with Alzheimer's can be viewed from the caregiver's device.
- Geotonome Mobile: app in French and English that facilitates the real-time location of the person equipped with this technology.
- rescueMEIt allows the caregiver to set a maximum time away from home; if this is exceeded, alerts are generated that help to react in time to disorientation in the initial stages.
- SmartPanics: focuses on the passive monitoring of people who require constant supervision, such as those suffering from dementia or who are at high risk of becoming disoriented.
- Life360: a well-known family location app, available in multiple languages, that allows you to create private "circles" where everyone shares their location and automatic alerts are sent when entering or leaving regular places.
AlertCops
Although not specifically for Alzheimer's, AlertCops is an official app in Spain that allows send alerts directly to law enforcement agencies from your smartphone. It's especially useful if the person gets lost or suffers any incident that requires quick intervention.
The app is multilingual (Spanish, Catalan, Basque, Galician, English, among others) and facilitates communication even in stressful situations, as the user can send their location and type of emergency in a very simple way.
Apps for emotional well-being, environment, and online therapy
Caring for a person with dementia is not just a matter of medication and safety: emotional wellThe physical environment and psychological support also play a fundamental role, both for the affected person and for their family.
Breathe
Under the name Breethe, this application presents itself as one of the more user-friendly wellness and meditation appsIt is not exclusively focused on dementia, but it can be a great ally for caregivers who live with high levels of stress, anxiety, or sleep problems.
It includes Guided meditations, sleep music, breathing exercises, content for managing difficult emotions and a highly customizable experience. The free version offers access to a limited selection of resources, while the paid subscription unlocks the full library.
BetterHelp (Improved Help)
BetterHelp is a platform online psychological therapy It connects users with accredited therapists via chat, video calls, or messaging. While not specifically for Alzheimer's, it can be a great help to caregivers dealing with emotional strain, anticipatory grief, anxiety, or depression.
Costs typically range between $65 and $100 per weekThese services are billed monthly and include several ways to contact a therapist. Access is through their app or website, by creating an account and answering a short questionnaire so the system can assign a suitable professional.
Iridis
Iridis is an innovative app developed in collaboration with the University of Stirling and the Space Group, which focuses on the design of environments adapted to dementiaIt brings the well-known Dementia Design Audit Tool into a digital format.
It allows users to assess homes, residences, workplaces, or public buildings to determine their suitability for people with dementia. The app offers Recommendations on lighting, color contrast, furniture layout, signage, noise reduction and other key factors that influence autonomy and quality of life.
It has a free version for private homeowners who want to assess their home, and a paid professional version aimed at healthcare centers and entities, with an approximate cost of £14,99 per month or £52,99 for six months.
Other useful apps and resources related to Alzheimer's
In addition to the main categories, there are other specific applications that cover very specific needs within the care of people with Alzheimer's.
MEMBR
MEMBR is designed for guide the person in their own home during the early stages of Alzheimer's, when memory lapses begin to affect daily life.
The app works with adhesive labels with barcodes These tags are placed on objects, doors, products, or other problematic areas. The caregiver photographs each tag with their mobile phone and records an associated description or voice instructions. Later, when the person experiences a problem with that object or location, they can scan the tag and listen to the recorded explanation.
It has been developed by Supertruper and the Vitalia Group, and is available for Android and iOSIt's an ingenious solution for gaining autonomy within one's own home.
Apps to contact healthcare associations and professionals
In addition to those mentioned, there are applications developed or endorsed by reference centers and patient associations that offer lists of useful tools and resources:
- El State Reference Center for the Care of People with Alzheimer's Disease and other Dementias (CREA) It compiles a comprehensive list of apps for the prevention, treatment, and monitoring of cognitive decline.
- Many of the informational apps, such as YoTeCuido or Alzheimer's Disease (CEAFA), are born directly from the experience of caregivers, family members and professionalswhich makes their recommendations very close to the reality of everyday life.
These types of initiatives help to filter the enormous number of existing applicationshighlighting those that truly add value and are designed for the specific needs of this group.
All these applications show how the Technology can become a real ally in Alzheimer's careThey make daily life easier, improve safety, promote cognitive stimulation, provide emotional support, and connect families with valuable resources. Choosing the right combination for each case (one for geolocation, another for caregiver support, one for stimulation, and another for medication management, for example) can make the difference between feeling like you're just "putting out fires" and having the feeling that everything is a little more under control.
