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A Walk Through Dementia app

A Walk Through Dementia

A virtual reality app designed to help people get a fully immersive insight into the varied symptoms people with dementia can experience in everyday life.
This app was developed by Alzheimer’s Research UK, guided by people living with different forms of dementia.

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A Walk Through Dementia	By Alzheimers Research UK
	Features: Immersive virtual experience. Three everyday situations, in which symptoms that pose challenges to people with dementia are demonstrated.
Country of origin	New Zealand
Clinical review	Read a clinical review below.
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information? No Require a login? No Have password protection? No Have a privacy policy? No Require internet access? Yes, to download, but not to use it. Read more about improving your safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Free
How to get the app	(external link) (external link)

This app uses virtual reality to give an idea of the challenges faced by people with dementia. Using 3 everyday scenarios (at the supermarket, on the road and at home), users are given insight into some of the symptoms that people with different forms of dementia may experience. The aim is to provide a fuller understanding of the practical and emotional impact of the condition.

For the complete app description, go to the app website(external link), App Store(external link), or, for a more detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS	CONS
✔ Quick and easy to download, clear instructions.	✘ Would be better with the cardboard cover that you need to make yourself – not sure how many people will actually do that.

PROS

CONS

✔ Quick and easy to download, clear instructions.

✘ Would be better with the cardboard cover that you need to make yourself – not sure how many people will actually do that.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Dr Helen Kenealy, geriatrician and general physician, Counties Manukau DHB
Date of review: May 2020
Platform: Apple
Comments: An app for carers of people with dementia or friends or relatives of a person with dementia, to give some understanding of the experience in the first stages, to getting more knowledge and engagement. The app gives a very personal in-depth experience of how each person’s experience is different. The video on the website(external link)(external link)(external link) shows an extraordinary amount of real life thinking that went in to its development.
Safety concerns: Yes – need to be careful that you keep yourself safe while using app, especially if you use the box option. To make sure you don’t fall or hit in to anything, you need to have a support person with you.
New Zealand relevance: Yes – although created by Alzheimer’s Research UK, the app is relevant to a New Zealand audience.

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

Factsheets – using health apps safely

How to choose a health app
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

Privacy and security tips for using health apps
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

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A Walk Through Dementia app