Brainy iPad App To Help Alzheimer’s Patients
- Those suffering dementia set to double in 10 years
- Take a brain survey
- Includes brain games
Based on the latest scientific research that links brain health and a reduced risk of dementia, to a healthy heart and cardiovascular system, BrainyApp is claimed to be the world’s first dementia risk reduction app designed to help people monitor and improve their Brain-Heart health.
Developed by Alzheimer’s Australia and the Bupa Health Foundation, BrainyApp helps users monitor and improve the physical, mental, dietary and social aspects of their lifestyle.
“The number of Australians with dementia is expected to dramatically increase from 267,000 today to 385,000 people by 2020 – up by almost 50 per cent in just eight years,” says Dr Christine Bennett, Chair of the Bupa Health Foundation Steering Committee.
“This alarming prospect should prompt us all to take actions that can keep our brains as well as our bodies healthy. As well as lifestyle choices, proper management of cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol are also important for brain health. The idea is that what is good for the heart is also good for the brain.”
Dr Michael Valenzuela, head of the Regenerative Neuroscience Group at the University of NSW and author of Maintain Your Brain (ABC Books) helped to develop BrainyApp.
“People need to start thinking about their brain health earlier in life. The changes in the brain that lead to dementia can start when people are in their 30s and 40s,” Dr Valenzuela said.
“Although the evidence is still developing, we are learning that there are a wide range of lifestyle choices and activities that can improve brain health, and which in turn may reduce the risk of dementia”.
BrainyApp allows users to take a Brain-Heart health survey about their diet, exercise patterns and lifestyle. It then provides suggestions and ideas about how to improve.
BrainyApp also includes all-new brain games, and encourages users to build Brain-Heart points by staying physically and mentally active, socialising with friends and family, and sharing their progress on Facebook.
One of the brain games – Word Tennis – requires players to unscramble anagrams in order to move a paddle and hit a ball back to their opponent.
BrainyApp is available as a free download for users of iPhone, iPod and iPad devices from the App Store.
BrainyApp adds to a range of new and innovative technologies such as interactive websites and GPS tracking devices to assist people with dementia, being developed by Alzheimer’s Australia.
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