New app for dementia carers

To coincide with September being World Alzheimer’s Month, a free app has been launched to help the 50,000 family carers in Ireland cope with difficult dementia care situations.

The Daily Companion App has been created by Home Instead Senior Care, as pocket guide to dementia care providing access to quick, helpful tips from experts and other caregivers.

To  support family caregivers in the local community, Home Instead Senior Care is offering a free dementia care education workshop on Tuesday, September 16  in Ennis Library from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Participants are asked to register by phoning 061-4620701.

Attendees will  be advised how the on-the-go guide for dementia caregivers is available for download at no cost in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. It offers immediate advice with close to 500 searchable tips and practical solutions to help deal with behaviours and situations related to Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Features include:

* 25 topic categories regarding behaviours and situations; emotional support and helpful resources
* “Ask a Question” submission form if you can’t find the answer you’re looking for
* Functionality to share advice from your own experience for the benefit of other caregivers
* 24-hour caregiving assistance available via phone or e-mail submission
* Ability to access all of the solutions and tips without Internet connectivity

Speaking about the new app, Liam Toland, Owner and Managing Director of Home Instead Senior Care in Ennis said, “Let’s say a caregiver is struggling with an older parent who is accusing them of stealing or who no longer recognises them. All they have to do is type in their issue and the app will start outlining why they see this type of behaviour in their parent, what the caregiver can do and what approaches to take. It’s a practical and easy to use resource during times of great stress.

“It is our hope that our daily companion app will help caregivers and make a real difference in their everyday lives”.