Type "dementia app" into an app store and you'll get pages of results: brain games, reminder tools, clocks, trackers, communication aids and family coordination apps. Some are built with people living with dementia in mind. Many aren't.
For families, the hard part isn't finding an app. It's finding the right one, one that the person will actually use, that fits their stage and living situation, and that doesn't add another layer of confusion.
This guide covers the main types of dementia apps, the features worth looking for, the questions to ask before you download, and how to introduce an app so it sticks. If you're new to the idea, our explainer on what a dementia app is and how it can help is a good place to start.
Why Apps Can Help
Technology isn't a substitute for people, but it can take pressure off memory and make everyday life easier. The Alzheimer's Society's guide to using technology in everyday life describes how assistive technology can help people living with dementia stay independent, manage daily tasks and reduce risks. Its guidance on memory aids and tools highlights calendars, clocks and reminders as practical supports.
Apps bring many of those tools together on a device the person may already own.
The Main Types of Dementia Apps
Reminder and routine apps
These prompt the person to take medication, go to appointments, drink water or complete daily tasks. The best ones let family help set reminders, and use clear wording, images or video.
Orientation apps
Simple "dementia clock" style apps show the day, date and time of day in large, clear text. They can reduce anxious questions about what day it is. Our article on how dementia affects time perception explains why that matters.
Communication and connection apps
Simplified video calling, photo sharing and messaging apps help people stay in touch with family and friends. Some use picture-based communication for people who find words harder. See our guide to the best communication tools for dementia.
Visual routine and task-guidance apps
These break everyday tasks, like making a cup of tea or getting dressed, into step-by-step pictures, audio or video.
Safety and location apps
Location sharing, geofencing and emergency contacts can offer reassurance for people who still go out on their own. They raise important questions about consent and privacy. Our guide to GPS trackers for dementia covers these.
Family coordination apps
Shared calendars, task lists and messaging help siblings and carers stay on the same page. See our roundup of caregiver apps for families.
Brain training and wellbeing apps
Puzzles and games can be enjoyable and social. Be cautious of any app that claims to prevent or treat dementia. Enjoyment is a good reason to use one. A promise of a cure is not.
Features Worth Looking For
Simple design. Large text, clear buttons, high contrast and as few steps as possible. If you have to explain it more than once, it may be too complex.
Clear, specific reminders. "Take the white tablet with breakfast" beats "Medication".
Family involvement. Can trusted family members help set up and manage reminders remotely? That matters when you don't live nearby.
Familiar voices and faces. Video or audio reminders from family can be easier to understand than text alone. Our guide to how video reminders help in dementia care explains why.
Shared visibility. Can the family see how the day is going without constant phone calls?
Adjustable over time. Needs change. Can you add, remove and simplify features as they do?
Works on existing devices. An app that runs on the person's own phone or tablet is easier than learning a new device.
Questions to Ask Before You Download
Who is this app designed for? The person living with dementia, the family, a clinician, or all three?
Was it designed with older adults or people with dementia? Look for evidence of user testing or partnerships with dementia organisations.
What happens to our data? Read the privacy policy. Who can see the information, and is it shared or sold?
What does it cost? Check for subscriptions, in-app purchases and what's included for free.
Is support available? Can you get help if something goes wrong?
Does it claim too much? Be wary of apps that promise to diagnose, prevent or cure dementia.
Our article on privacy and security in agetech covers the data questions in more depth.
Elli Cares was built for older adults living with cognitive changes and the families who support them. It includes medication, appointment and daily reminders, short video reminders recorded by family, daily wellbeing check-ins, and a shared care circle where family can see the activity log and message each other. Safe Zones add reassurance for people who still get out and about, and downloadable reports help at doctor's appointments. It's available on iOS and Android.
Matching an App to the Person
Early stage or mild cognitive impairment. The person can often choose and set up an app themselves. Reminder, calendar and communication apps tend to work well. Involve them fully. Our guide to staying independent longer with MCI has more.
Middle stage. Simpler is better. Family may need to manage settings. Video reminders, clear orientation displays and one-tap calling can help.
Later stage. Apps become more about connection and comfort: music, photos, familiar voices. Family-facing tools for coordinating care may matter more than apps the person uses directly.
Also think about living situation. Someone living alone may benefit most from reminders and family visibility. Someone living with a spouse may need tools that support the carer as much as the person.
How to Introduce an App So It Sticks
Choose together. Ask what the person finds hardest and what they'd like help with.
Start with one feature. Medication reminders, for example. Add more later.
Set it up side by side. Practise a few times.
Write simple instructions and keep them by the device.
Keep the device charged and in the same place.
Review after a few weeks. Keep what helps, drop what doesn't.
If technology is already feeling overwhelming, our guide to helping seniors with technology fatigue can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best app for someone with dementia?
The best app is the one the person can use confidently and that solves their biggest daily challenge. For many families that's a reminder app with family support, a simple video calling app, or an orientation clock.
Are there free dementia apps?
Some apps are free or have free versions. Check what's included and whether key features require a subscription.
Can apps help people with dementia live independently?
They can support independence by helping with reminders, routines and connection, especially in the earlier stages, but they work best alongside people and professional care.
Are dementia apps safe to use?
Most are, but check the privacy policy, who can access the data, and whether the app makes medical claims it can't support.
Pick One Problem to Solve
Start with the thing that causes the most stress each day, and find an app that helps with that. To see how Elli supports daily life for people living with memory changes, visit our Seniors and Families page or download Elli Cares on the App Store or Google Play.
