Brain training apps are a fun way to keep your brain stimulated and may offer some benefits regarding Alzheimer’s and dementia support.
Just like our entire bodies, our brains change as we age. Many people might notice occasional difficulty remembering or misplacing things, but severe memory loss and confusion are warning signs of something more serious, like Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases of dementia disorders. It is a progressive disease that gradually worsens over time, affecting a person’s memory, thinking, and behaviour.
At this stage, nothing has been scientifically proven to prevent or treat Alzheimer’s or dementia. Still, you can make lifestyle changes to reduce risk, including a healthy diet, regular exercise and mental stimulation. Mental stimulation can include enjoying a daily crossword, reading more, staying socially active, or learning new skills.
Keeping your mind healthy and active is just as important as physical exercise, and daily brain workouts can stimulate your brain and improve the quality of life for a person with dementia. Many brain training apps use games and puzzles to help increase cognitive function, memory, problem-solving skills, and processing speed. Our team at KompleteCare have taken out the guesswork for you and found our six favourite apps to give your brain a workout (with cognitive and dementia support benefits)!
1. BrainTrack
Developed by Dementia Australia, BrainTrack is a free app that uses games and challenges to test your cognition and produce data that can be used to start a conversation with your GP. If you’ve noticed any changes in your thinking or memory, the app can help you monitor and understand changes in your cognition. It may lead to an earlier diagnosis of dementia (and, therefore, earlier intervention, including access to dementia support). While it does not replace the need for formal cognitive assessment, it can support the process by allowing you to track changes over time. It can also offer reassurance and tips based on maintaining brain health.
2. MindMate
MindMate is an app that focuses on healthy aging and offers workout routines, mental exercises, and healthy recipes to help you keep your mind and body fit. The app includes a daily planner and a vast library of articles and resources on staying healthy while aging. Their mental exercises are based on world-leading science. They stimulate the brain with engaging and interactive activities designed to challenge the four core cognitive areas: conflict resolution, speed, memory, and attention. MindMate is a great option and is intended for those who want to prioritise health while ageing, those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, and those with a family history of cognitive decline.
3. Lumosity
Lumosity is a brain training program offering a range of cognitive exercises tailored to your personal goals. The app is designed for people of all ages and adapts to each person’s skill levels, strengths, and weaknesses. Based on regularly utilised activities in cognitive psychology, you’ll be offered a new set of games and challenges each day, which target memory, attention, problem-solving, processing speed, and flexibility of thinking. It also provides progress tracking, insights, and feedback on cognitive performance.
4. CogniFit
Cognifit offers tailored training designed by neuroscientists to improve cognitive abilities such as memory and concentration through sleek, fun, and addictive games. After you take an initial quiz, the app adapts the difficulty of each game and gives you recommendations based on your results. The games challenge your brain to help improve concentration, awareness, coordination, and organisation. Users can track progress and access insights about their overall brain health, including strengths and potential problems.
5. Eidetic
Eidetic uses spaced repetition (think flash cards like you might’ve used at school!) to help you memorise anything from phone numbers to bank details or exciting words and facts. What sets it apart from other brain training apps is that it allows you to use things with personal meaning to you (like your wife’s new phone number or your new bank details) and helps you remember them. Push notifications prompt and remind you to keep testing yourself, and the app spaces out tests over time to continually jog your memory, which helps to retain information long-term.
6. Fit Brains Trainer
Fit Brains Trainer includes more than 360 games and training sessions designed to enhance the five major brain areas: memory, processing speed, concentration, problem-solving, and visual skills. The game tracks your progress and adapts to your skill level, increasing difficulty as you improve to keep your brain challenged.
The bottom line
Brain training apps are helpful tools for maintaining or improving brain cognition. At this stage, it is unknown whether they can help prevent or lower the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s; however, lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and mental stimulation can all help reduce your risk, and many of these apps provide remarkable insights into where your cognition is at.
If you’re experiencing any symptoms that you’re worried could be Alzheimer’s or dementia, speak to your GP. An early diagnosis means early intervention and access to dementia support.
Alzheimer’s and dementia support with KompleteCare
Our dedicated KompleteCare Home Support Workers are highly trained and fully equipped to care for clients with complex needs, including Alzheimer’s or dementia support. If you or your loved one needs additional support at home or in the community, call our office on (08) 8265 5696 or fill out an online enquiry form to find out how we can help you.
