Volunteers wanted to trial Sheffield dementia support app

People living with dementia and those who care for someone with the condition are being asked to take part in a trial of an award-winning dementia support app.

Twenty thousand people already use MindMate, which aims to improve the lives of people with dementia by giving practical help to them and their carers.

Now it is being promoted in Sheffield after its young designers won the city’s Smart Lab competition for innovation in care.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This comes as it is revealed that one in three children born last year are likely to develop some form of dementia in their old age.

Patrick Renner, co-founder of MindMate, said: “We developed MindMate based on personal experiences of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. With MindMate, we wanted to build a tool which would have helped keep our grandparents more independent and been a useful source of extra support through the caring process.

“Thousands of people are already using it and we see an increase in independency in the early stages of dementia and an improved relationship between the carer and the individual living with the condition.

“Through this trial we want to gather more feedback on how MindMate can make a difference in the life of people living with dementia and their (family) carers.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Up to 75 iPAD users are being sought for the trial which involves using the app over a four week period. People are encouraged to come forward up to 12 June.

Councillor Cate McDonald, cabinet member for health and social care at Sheffield City Council, said: “The number of people with dementia in Sheffield will increase substantially over the next few years.

“We need to do as much as we can to make sure people are able to continue to maintain their independence and live well with dementia at home for as long as possible.

“This app provides useful prompts to help people remember to do things like take their medication and keep important appointments, as well as build and store personal life books and special memories. It also helps the people who care for them understand their life and likes, so they’re able to meet their individual needs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We’re trying innovative approaches to care and support here in Sheffield and are pleased to support MindMate in their trial. I hope it benefits people living with dementia, their families and their carers.”

It is estimated that around 6,400 people in Sheffield are living with dementia, over 4,300 with a formal diagnosis. This is expected to rise to over 7,300 by 2020 and 9,300 by 2030, with the biggest increase in people aged 85 and over.

MindMate is already available for download on the Apple store and has a five star rating.

To sign up for the trial please email [email protected] or Click here for more information.