A world-leading dementia app received a welcome boost recently by winning the ICAS Sustainability competition.
The competition, supported by SSE, looked to find an original business idea that is environmentally, socially and financially sustainable. After a public vote, the MindMate app was announced as the winner for addressing the broader definition of sustainability by tackling a key social issue, shown through their moving video and strong business plan.
The app was founded by a group of University of Glasgow and Strathclyde University graduates after one of the team’s grandparents began suffering from Alzheimer’s, a form of dementia. Free for people who live with dementia, the app helps people live at home with brain training games, reminders, nutrition advice, exercises and information on an easy to use platform.
Prior to launch the app was trialled by 100 people, 70 of whom are still using the app daily. Within the first eight weeks of the app’s launch 8,000 users had already signed up for the free service, with the oldest user being 93 years old.
Along with the free patient app, the team have also developed a paid app that can be used by carers to support the app used by the dementia patient.
The MindMate team are now looking to launch the apps in German speaking countries and Spanish speaking countries and are continuing to improve their innovative app that really does make a difference to so many people’s lives. The MindMate app is now available on the App Store.
This is not the first time SSE has supported work in the dementia field. Early last year SSE partnered with the Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) to launch the book entitled, 10 helpful hints on heating and lighting for people with dementia and their carers. Designed to provide help and advice on managing heating and lighting efficiently and show how both can make a positive impact for people with dementia living in their own home, the book is available for purchase here.
Pictured: Anne Adrain, ICAS Assistant Director, Sustainability and Assurance, two of the co-founders of MindMate, Susanne Mitschke & Patrick Renner and Rachel McEwen, SSE Director of Sustainability.