Reminder App for Dementia: How Elli Cares Helps
"Did I take my tablets this morning?" It's a question many people start asking themselves in the early stages of dementia or mild cognitive impairment. So is "When's that appointment again?" and "Was it today I was meant to call the plumber?"
Forgetting the odd thing is normal. But when it starts happening more often, it chips away at confidence. It also tends to pull family into a new role as the household reminder service, with daily phone calls that can start to feel like checking up.
Reminders are one of the simplest, most practical supports for this stage. This article explains why reminders help, what good reminders look like, and how reminders work in Elli Cares.
Why Reminders Help
Early memory changes often affect recent information and future plans more than long-held knowledge. Someone might remember exactly how to cook their favourite meal but forget they've already had lunch, or forget an appointment made last week.
The Alzheimer's Society's guidance on memory aids highlights tools such as calendars, clocks and reminders that take the pressure off memory. Its advice on supporting someone with memory loss also suggests adding reminders on a phone or tablet for upcoming appointments and regular tasks.
A good reminder system does three things:
Holds the information so the person doesn't have to.
Prompts at the right moment, not just "sometime today".
Keeps the person in charge of doing the task themselves.
That last part matters. Reminders support independence by letting someone keep managing their own day, with a little help. Our article on how reminder apps promote independence explores this further.
What Makes a Good Reminder
Not all reminders are equally useful. The ones that work tend to be:
Specific: "Take the white tablet with breakfast" is easier to act on than "Medication".
Timed to the routine: linked to meals, waking up or a regular TV programme.
Familiar: in words, or even a voice, the person recognises.
Few in number: too many alerts become background noise.
Easy to act on: clear on screen, with one simple next step.
How Reminders Work in Elli Cares
Elli Cares is designed for older adults, including people living with early cognitive changes, and the families who support them. Reminders are at the heart of the app.
Medications
Set reminders for each medication at the times it's due, with clear instructions about what to take. For more on building a medication routine that sticks, see our guides to managing medications at home and encouraging medication adherence without conflict.
Appointments
Add doctor's visits, hair appointments, social outings or anything else on the calendar, so the reminder arrives when it's needed rather than relying on a note on the fridge.
Daily tasks and routines
From walking the dog to watering the garden, drinking water, locking the back door or calling a friend, everyday tasks can be set as one-off or recurring reminders. Our article on dementia care reminders beyond medication has plenty of ideas.
Video reminders
Family can record a short video, such as "Morning Mum, it's time for your tablets, they're in the blue box," and schedule it as a reminder. A familiar face and voice can make a prompt easier to understand and follow. Our guide to how video reminders help in dementia care has tips for recording them.
Set up by the person or by family
Reminders can be created and managed by the person themselves, or by family members in their care circle. That means an adult daughter in another city can set up next week's appointment reminder without needing to be there in person.
Getting started with Elli Cares: Start small. Pick the one or two tasks that matter most, usually medications and appointments, and set those up together. Once they feel familiar, add daily routines and video reminders. Involving the person in choosing what gets reminded, and how it's worded, makes it far more likely to stick.
Peace of Mind for the Whole Family
Reminders are only part of what makes Elli useful for families. The shared care circle means siblings, partners and grandchildren can all be involved, instead of the job falling on one person. Family members can see the activity log to understand how the day is going, send messages, and add observational notes.
Daily wellbeing check-ins let the person record how they're feeling. When it's time to see the doctor, a downloadable GP report brings together what's happened between visits.
Elli doesn't diagnose anything or replace medical care. What it offers is a clearer picture of everyday life, so small changes get noticed sooner and conversations with the care team are better informed. Our article on how families use Elli Cares shares more about this.
Balancing Support and Independence
Reminders work best when they feel like help, not surveillance. A few principles keep it that way:
Agree on reminders together. Ask what the person finds hardest to remember, and what they'd like help with.
Keep the tone warm. Wording and video messages should sound like encouragement, not instructions from a supervisor.
Respect "no". If a reminder isn't wanted, talk about why before adding more.
Review regularly. Needs change. Remove reminders that are no longer useful.
Our guide on supporting ageing parents without taking over covers this balance in more depth.
Who Elli Cares Reminders Suit
Elli reminders tend to suit:
people living with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia who want to stay independent
older adults managing several medications or appointments
families supporting a parent from a distance
care partners who want to share the load with siblings or other family
As needs change over time, reminders can be adjusted, and video messages can shift from task prompts to simple reassurance and connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best reminder app for someone with dementia?
The best app is one the person can use confidently: clear on screen, simple to act on, and easy for family to help set up. Elli Cares was designed for older adults with cognitive changes and their families, with medication, appointment, daily task and video reminders.
Can family members set reminders for a parent in Elli Cares?
Yes. Reminders can be set up and managed by the person or by family members in their care circle.
Can Elli Cares remind someone to take medication?
Yes. Medication reminders can be scheduled with clear instructions. Elli supports routines but doesn't replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist about medications.
Is Elli Cares only for people with dementia?
No. It's designed for older adults who want support with daily routines, including people with early cognitive changes, and for the families who support them.
Try It for Yourself
Elli Cares is available on the App Store and Google Play. You can also learn more on our Seniors and Families page.
