Birdie Box: Harnessing the power of memories to support people with dementia and memory loss

Posted on by DigitalHealth.London

To mark the launch of Birdie Box, founder and Launchpad Cohort 7 innovator Rebecca Bird shares how the AI-powered app utilises the power of memories to empower people with dementia and memory loss.

One of the most significant challenges of dementia and memory loss is its effect on personal independence. As memory declines, the ability to manage daily activities independently diminishes, often leading to frustration and anxiety for individuals.

This psychological strain can be made worse by the limited availability of clinician-guided therapies and support, especially for people with early-stage dementia and their families, friends and caregivers. In the Alzheimer’s Society 2022 Left to Cope Alone report, three out of five people said they did not feel supported by the health and care system to manage their condition. Interventions like reminiscence therapy for example, which assists people with dementia to evoke memories through conversation, videos, photographs and objects, can help to improve “cognitive function and quality of life.”

I have seen first-hand the power of capturing memories to support people with memory decline, which is why I became passionate about finding solutions for others facing similar challenges. In 2020, my family and I noticed that our family member had become more forgetful, isolated, and increasingly dependent on us. As his caregiver, I was dedicated to helping him maintain his daily routine. I knew there had to be a way to help him stay independent for longer.

This personal experience inspired my creation of Birdie Box, a mobile app designed to help people with dementia and memory loss gain more independence. It captures and preserves cherished memories in an easily accessible, digital format. Once installed, the app is easy to use, allowing individuals to capture and organise memories through photos, videos and voice recordings in a personalised AI-powered memory bank. It offers secure storage, easy retrieval and collaborative features, empowering users with prompts and reminders while reducing the burden on caregivers.

Birdie Box offers the added benefit of a growing collection of memories, allowing family members and caregivers to contribute. This ensures the app evolves with the user’s needs. The integration of AI also helps make the process more efficient, providing insights and reminders tailored to the individual’s memory patterns, ultimately supporting a greater sense of independence for users.

Key Features of Birdie Box

1. User-friendly app: The Birdie Box app acts as the main platform where users can access stored memories. Invited caregivers can easily upload new content, keeping the app updated for the user’s needs.

2. Memory bank: The memory bank feature enables individuals living with dementia and memory loss to securely store cherished memories, such as family photos, important documents and their favourite places, entertainment and music, all in one safe and accessible location. This feature enhances the user’s ability to recall important moments, promoting a sense of comfort and continuity, while reducing confusion and anxiety. It provides a valuable tool for maintaining independence and improving the user’s overall wellbeing by keeping memories easily accessible.

3. AI recall: The AI recall function can remind the user of soothing memories during periods of confusion or isolation.

4. Real-time reminders: The system sends same-day alerts for appointments, medication schedules and important memories, helping users maintain their routine. AI helps to recall saved memories and learns which are most comforting, surfacing them at the right moments to provide reassurance.

5. Collaboration and communication: Family members and caregivers can collaborate by adding to the memory bank, managing reminders and using the in-app chat and call feature to stay connected. Users can easily reach out to invited contacts, fostering communication and emotional support.

6. Speech to text: Users can interact with Birdie Box, accessing reminders or memories with simple voice commands. This feature greatly enhances accessibility for individuals with memory loss, allowing them to effortlessly retrieve important information without needing to navigate through the app manually. It provides a sense of ease and independence, reducing frustration and empowering users to stay connected with their routines and loved ones.

Key benefits of using Birdie Box

1. Empowering independence: Birdie Box helps users manage their daily routines, store cherished memories and stay connected with loved ones, giving them a greater sense of control over their lives. By supporting memory recall and providing structured reminders, the app fosters confidence in completing everyday tasks, promoting much-needed independence and enhancing overall wellbeing. 

2. Strengthening connections: Birdie Box enables family members and friends to contribute to the user’s memory bank, keeping them engaged with their network and preserving meaningful moments. This fosters emotional bonds and improves the quality of life for individuals with memory loss. 

3. Improving quality of life: Through memory aids, a personalised memory bank and a supportive virtual community, Birdie Box helps users focus on moments that matter, making daily living more fulfilling and empowering. 

4. Reducing caregiver burden: Designed with caregivers in mind, Birdie Box includes a secure dashboard that allows caregivers to monitor wellbeing, schedules and reminders remotely. This makes caregiving more efficient, easing their emotional and physical load while enabling better, more personalised support for their loved ones.

Birdie Box is available to download for a loved one now. Find out more and connect with Birdie Box below:

Birdie Box is part of the seventh cohort of the DigitalHealth.London Launchpad programme.

DigitalHealth.London Launchpad is funded by the UK Government via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). It is delivered by the Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London in partnership with the Office of Life Sciences, CW+, Medicity, NHS England and the Mayor of London.

For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-
shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus.

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