Bupa Health Foundation and Alzheimer's Australia Announce UK Availability of Brain Health App

LONDON, December 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

The Bupa Health Foundation and Alzheimer's Australia have announced the UK launch of a world-first brain health app, the latest digital tool to help in the fight against dementia.

Based on latest research that links brain health and a reduced risk of dementia, to a healthy heart and cardiovascular system, 'BrainyApp' is the first dementia risk reduction iPhone app designed to help people monitor and improve their brain-heart health.

The new app, which was designed by Alzheimer's Australia and Bupa Health Foundation, has already knocked Facebook off the number one spot in the Australia and New Zealand Top Free Apps list and has clocked up more than 130,000 downloads down under.

Now available to people in the UK, 'BrainyApp' helps users monitor and improve the physical, mental, dietary and social aspects of their lifestyle.

There are currently 750,000 people living with dementia in the UK and this is predicted to rise to over a million by 2021. Delaying the onset of dementia by just five years would reduce deaths directly attributable to dementia by 30,000 a year.

Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive, Alzheimer's Society, said: "Most people know how to reduce their risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke but they don't realise that the same healthy lifestyle choices may also lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of dementia.  The idea is that what is good for the heart is also good for the brain."

'BrainyApp' allows users to take a brain-heart health survey about their diet, exercise patterns and lifestyle. It then provides suggestions and ideas about how to make improvements to each. It also includes all-new brain games, and encourages users to build brain-heart points by staying physically and mentally active, socialising with friends and family, and sharing their progress on Facebook.

One of the brain games - 'Word Tennis' - requires players to unscramble anagrams in order to move a paddle and hit a ball back to their opponent.

Director of dementia care for Bupa Care Services, Dr Graham Stokes, said: "There is evidence to show that keeping the mind exercised can stave off the onset of dementia but 'BrainyApp' highlights that good physical health also has a part to play. Best of all it's good fun."  

'BrainyApp' is available as a free download for users of iPhone, iPod and iPad devices from the App Store. There are plans to develop an Android version in early 2012.

More information about BrainyApp is available at http://www.bupa.co.uk/brainy-app.  

About Bupa Group:

Bupa's purpose is to help people lead longer, healthier, happier lives.  

A leading international healthcare group, Bupa offers personal and company health insurance, runs care homes for older people and hospitals, and provides workplace health services, health assessments and chronic disease management services, including health coaching, and home healthcare.  

For more information, visit http://www.bupa.com.

About Alzheimer's Society:

One in three people over 65 will die with dementia. Alzheimer's Society research shows that 750,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In just ten years a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051. Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them

About Alzheimer's Australia:

Alzheimer's Australia is the charity for people with dementia and their families and their carers. As the peak body, it provides advocacy, support services, education and information.

About the Bupa Health Foundation:

The Bupa Health Foundation helps build a healthier Australian community through its support of important health research, health education and other healthy living programs.  

PR Contact:
Kevin Mochrie
Bupa Group Press Office
Bupa House
15-19 Bloomsbury Way
London
WC1A 2BA
+44(0)207-656-2454
http://www.bupa.co.uk

SOURCE Bupa Health Foundation