This week marks Dementia Action Week, a week that is all about improving the lives of those who live with dementia.
In fact, there are estimated to be 34.5 million people living in the UK with dementia, an illness that currently affects 1 in 3 people.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is a term used to describe a decline in cognitive ability that affects a person’s daily life. It can usually affect areas like memory, thinking, problem-solving, language and mobility. Dementia is not a single disease, but a catchall for a number of brain disorders.
Unfortunately, symptoms of dementia tend to get worse over time, impacting a person’s ability to live independently.
Whilst age is one of the biggest factors in the development of the disease, not all older people get it, and early intervention can help manage symptoms early enough to avoid further deterioration.
Can You Cure Dementia?
Currently, there is no cure for dementia.
In general, treatment for the disease focuses on managing symptoms rather than a total cure. These treatments help slow the progression of the disease and help improve the quality of life for those affected.
Whilst medication can help with certain symptoms, non-drug related therapies can also help. Given the prominence of the disease, it’s no surprise that so much research is taking place to help find potential cures and other ways to slow its progression.
Startups Tackling Dementia
Given the high number of people suffering from the disease, it’s no surprise that a number of startups have emerged with the aim of helping people manage the disease. Some of these include:
1. DeepVibes: Support For Carers
DeepVibes is a support app, specifically crafted for those caring for people suffering with dementia and Alzheimer’s.
The app features audio content and therapy sessions to help caregivers access support. Not only that but it fosters a sense of community during difficult times.
By combining community and advice, DeepVibes is helping care for dementia carers.
2. Memory Tracks: Music Therapy App
Memory Tracks combines music therapy with care routines to help those with dementia.
The app uses familiar songs to accompany everyday tasks, helping patients remember things like taking medication or eating meals.
The app uses the soothing power of music to create a more relaxed environment for both patients and caregivers.
3. AviadoBio: Gene Therapy Innovations
AviadoBio is a pioneer in gene therapy, aiming to research how genes can help combat neurodegenerative diseases like dementia.
Their research focuses on developing therapies and treatments that can slow or even halt the progression of brain disorders like dementia.
Their work could define how dementia is treated in the future.
4. Smart Hydration: Intelligent Hydration Reminders
Dehydration can be a major threat to dementia sufferers, so Smart Hydration has come up with a solution to help.
Their smart jug uses sensors and reminders to make sure patients remain hydrated. Through tracking and monitoring, Smart Hydration is helping patients improve their health and wellbeing.
5. The Wayback: Virtual Reality Memories
The Wayback uses virtual reality to immerse dementia patients in nostalgic memories from their past.
By recreating moments and environments in immersive VR, this tool helps stimulate memory muscles – an area of the brain which regularly degenerates first.
The immersive nature of VR is a great tool to improve the lives and memories of those living with dementia.
