Memo-the software that reminds people with mild dementia of everything they need to know–is re-launching as a mobile app just in time for the holidays.Family members who care for someone with impaired memory may find Memo the ideal gift.It helps seniors with short-term memory loss maintain their independence and stay in their own home,providing constant reminders to keep daily life on track for the elder.Equally important,Memo relieves stress and anxiety for the family caregiver.
"Memo is like a big,bright sticky note that updates automatically,without the caregiver being physically present,"says Merilee Griffin,a co-founder of Memo Touch.The Memo app allows family members to post messages remotely,from home,work,or travel,wherever they have internet access.They can also update the calendar and To Do list,set audio alerts,modify the medication list,and post photos.
The elder needs no computer skills at all–the app simply provides the correct day,date,and time and other information."If they can watch TV,they can use a Memo,"says Memo co-founder Carrie Beia.
Originally available only on a pre-loaded tablet,Memo can now be downloaded from Google Play and soon,the Apple store.Customers can choose any ten-inch or similar tablet,including used and refurbished models.
Memo can be easily customized to meet the needs of people with a wide range of abilities.The display can be as simple as the day,date and time and a single reminder,or it can include optional features such as a calendar,to-do list,the weather,phone numbers,a list of medications,and photo albums.A Help button is available to automatically send a text,email,or both to the caregiver if needed.
Because access to the caregiver website can be shared among siblings,aides,assisted living staff,and other helpers,Memo facilitates communication and coordination of care.Everyone with access can see the messages,calendar items,to-do lists,and medications.It eliminates the additional responsibility typically placed on the primary caregiver to keep all interested parties informed.
The Memo app will run on any Android or Apple tablet,but a ten-inch screen is strongly recommended to keep font and icon sizes large enough for older eyes.Most of today's tablets have ample processing speed and resolution to support Memo's functions.
While the device is serving as a Memo,the software automatically loads and runs on startup,so someone without any tech skills is in no danger of getting confused with unfamiliar screens and icons.And when the family is finished using the tablet as Memo,it can be returned to its original programming and used as an extra device.
Memo is offered by MemoTouch LLC of East Lansing,Michigan,formed in 2010 with the vision of producing a single,simple device to help ease the stress and daily disruption caused by short-term memory loss of elders and their caregivers alike.
