DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF MOBILE APPLICATION FOR PEOPLE WITH YOUNG-ONSET DEMENTIA AND THEIR CARERS

Abstract

Young Onset Dementia (YOD) defined as the onset of dementia before the age of 65 years is increasingly recognized as an important clinical and social problem with devastating consequences for the patients and those who care for them. YOD is less common than late onset dementia and accessing age appropriate information and services for young people with YOD is limited. Post-diagnostic support for patient and carers to help adjust to the reality of what this may mean in terms of the future is important. We aimed to develop a YOD app which would provide information and support for YOD patients and their carers; and to obtain feedback via focus groups with patient and carers. YOD app was developed, collaboration between Memory Services, National Health Service Trust, NHS Health informatics Service and Common Point. Focus groups with different patient and carers were conducted for feedback on the app which was used to improvise the app before its publication. After undergoing styling, content checking and video-editing the app was published on Apple Store and Google Play Store (for android devices) for free download with search term- YOD dementia (please download to view the app). YOD app developed is used by people with dementia and their carers to access information and provide guidance for self –management with appropriate knowledge and more importantly signposts them to an array of services and organisations that provide specialised support locally, regionally and Nationally. The app enables them to access information from a wide range of sources, in one place, in a timely fashion, at the point when they are ready to this information. It also has fact sheets and links to various websites with more information. The app has been downloaded locally and globally (analytics will be presented).