Selected Innovations

The Alzheimer’s Society’s Accelerator programme has selected two promising innovations aimed at improving dementia care:

• Neu Health: An app designed to monitor changes in dementia symptoms.
• Hydro Care: A device that tracks hydration levels in individuals with dementia.

About Neu Health

Neu Health is an app that offers personalized, ongoing care for individuals with dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s. It aims to help users understand and manage their symptoms more effectively.

Caroline Cake, the CEO and co-founder of Neu Health, emphasized the need for regular monitoring post-diagnosis:

“People with dementia often don’t receive regular monitoring after their diagnosis. There’s a real lack of tools to track and support day-to-day management, and care is often reactive, not proactive.”

She added that Neu Health aims to bridge this gap by providing data-driven insights for timely care, inspired by the success of digital tools in managing other conditions like diabetes.

About Hydro Care

Hydro Care is designed to monitor hydration levels in individuals with dementia, allowing caregivers to track these levels remotely. This is crucial as dehydration can lead to serious health issues, including:

• Urinary tract infections
• Kidney damage
• Unnecessary hospital admissions

Dr. Tess Morris-Paterson, founder of Hydro Care, stated:

“Hydro Care gives peace of mind that their loved one is drinking enough and, if not, allows them to take early action.”

Alzheimer’s Society Accelerator Overview

Since its inception in 2019, the Alzheimer’s Society Accelerator has supported 17 start-ups, impacting over 100,000 individuals affected by dementia. The program provides:

• Business support
• Access to a community of experts, including those living with dementia
• Potential investment of up to £100,000

Simon Lord, head of innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, expressed enthusiasm for the potential of both Hydro Care and Neu Health to alleviate pressure on caregivers and the healthcare system.

Future Initiatives

In May 2024, the Alzheimer’s Society plans to launch an initiative utilizing interactive light technology to create activities and games for individuals with dementia, in collaboration with Sport England and Social-Ability.