Overwhelming demand for world first dementia risk reduction app

The world first dementia risk reduction app, developed by Alzheimer’s Australia, in partnership with Bupa Health Foundation, was launched for Android phones today in response to overwhelming local and international demand.

When BrainyApp was released for iPhone and iPad in November 2011, it hit number one in the Australian App Store, with 41,000 downloads in just 48 hours.

With more than 200,000 free downloads worldwide since then, the demand for the app, which may help people reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, continues to grow.

Ita Buttrose, National President of Alzheimer’s Australia, said Android consumers from around the world have inundated the organisation via Twitter, Facebook and email with requests not be excluded from access to BrainyApp.

“The rapid success of BrainyApp demonstrates that Australians are eager for information and strategies to help them improve their brain health,” Ms Buttrose said.

"It is extremely encouraging to see that so many people want to make active lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of developing dementia.

“We have had enquiries from people and other Alzheimer’s associations from around the world including The Netherlands, South Africa, Mexico and Iceland, wanting to know when the Android version will be available.

Dr Maree Farrow, Alzheimer’s Australia Research Fellow, from the app project team, said there are 280,000 Australians living with dementia today and by 2020, this number is expected to soar to almost 400,000.

"Because there is no cure for dementia we need to give priority to initiatives such as BrainyApp that raise awareness of dementia, and help people to understand and reduce their risk of developing the condition," Dr Farrow said.

Josh Guest, Managing Director of software company b2cloud, which developed the app, said the demand for the Android version shows that people have a real interest in improving their brain health.

"It is extraordinary for an app like this to have had such an impact in its first few months," Mr Guest said.

“With almost half app downloads coming from Android Smartphones in Australia, b2cloud has observed huge demand in the health and well being category.”

BrainyApp is now available as a free download for Android phones and tablets from the Google Play Store. iPhone, iPod and iPad users can still download BrainyApp from the App Store.

Based on the latest scientific research that links brain health and a reduced risk of dementia, to a healthy heart and cardiovascular system, BrainyApp is the world’s first dementia risk reduction App designed to help people monitor and improve their Brain-Heart health.

More information about BrainyApp is available at www.brainyapp.com.au.

To download a copy of the media release click here.