Our new BrainTrack app is now available
Dementia Australia has released a free mobile app called BrainTrack, that helps people to privately monitor and better understand suspected changes in their cognition over time.
BrainTrack helps individuals explore common cognitive concerns and provides brain health information through fun, travel-themed games that have been adapted from validated cognitive testing.
Users are prompted to log-in to the app monthly to play the games and then the app can easily generate a confidential pdf report of the results that can be used as a conversation starter with their GP.
BrainTrack is not intended to replace a formal cognitive assessment, however the app supports the early identification of cognitive changes over time that may warrant further testing with a GP.
Why has Dementia Australia created BrainTrack?
With up to half a million Australians living with dementia – which is projected to increase to 1.1 million people by 2058 – improving early diagnosis must be a priority.
By encouraging people to talk to their GP as soon as they have concerns about their cognition may lead to an earlier diagnosis of dementia, which then empowers and enables people living with dementia, their families and carers to better understand dementia and to manage their diagnosis on their terms.
Dementia Australia Honorary Medical Advisor Associate Professor Michael Woodward AM, Director and Clinical Head of Aged Care Research and Director, Memory Clinic for Austin Health, said the right support at the right time can enable people with dementia to maintain their independence and functional capacity for as long as possible.
“Health and allied health professionals play an important role in helping people living with dementia to live well for longer,” Assoc Prof Woodward said.
“By assessing physical and cognitive issues they can provide interventions to support the maintenance of current strengths and capacities, improve skill acquisition and promote recovery, enablement and rehabilitation.
“The more GPs and healthcare professionals know and understand about dementia and how Dementia Australia’s support and programs, including post-diagnostic services, can wrap around their patient, the better the system and health care experience will be for all.”
Andree Ernst is a Dementia Advocate and has experienced gradual cognitive decline since being diagnosed with grand mal epilepsy. Andree has already downloaded the app and started on its tasks.
“I plan to continue to check-in with BrainTrack and show the results to my GP to help demonstrate my experience with memory problems that I currently struggle to monitor for myself,” Ms Ernst said.
BrainTrack was developed by Dementia Australia with the Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute (A²I²), Deakin University and funded by the Australian Government.
The app was officially launched on 13 October by the Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care in a Meet the Ministers Webinar hosted by Dementia Australia.
Dementia Australia encourages everyone interested in exploring more about their brain health to download BrainTrack and for GPs and other treating healthcare professionals to encourage their patients who have concerns about their cognition to do so too.
BrainTrack is available for download for free through the Apple App Store or Google Play.
For more information, please visit dementia.org.au/braintrack-app or call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.
Pictured: (L-R): Andy Vouliotis, Product Manager, A²I² Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute, Deakin University and Isabelle Burke, Director, Dementia Australia Research Foundation, Dementia Australia Dementia Advocate