Memo Touch — a tablet that aids the aged

As Alzheimer’s rates continue to climb worldwide, and a solution from new drugs or better tech is desperately needed. Enter the Memo Touch, a tablet designed for the elderly with short-term memory loss.

It’s not something which we see every day, a piece of technology which aids those who may be unfamiliar or frightened by new technology.

The Memo Touch is based on the Archos 101, a 10.1 inch HD wireless tablet with a webcam and upgradable memory. Frankly, the statistics would not matter to an 80-year old pensioner who’s forgotten where her liver pills are. What matters though is that the Memo Touch “helps seniors with short-term memory loss maintain their independence and age in their own home.”

How so? Memo co-founder Carrie Beia says, “If they can watch TV, they can use a Memo.” The Memo Touch is managed by family-members who control the Memo from a remote website and can assign notes, as well as reminders for their ailing parent.

President of Memo Touch, Merilee Griffin says, “Memo establishes an entirely new product category of memory assistants designed to reduce the confusion and loss of independence caused by memory impairment.” Memo’s display can be as simple or as complex as the users needs it to be. Basic display options will show the time, date, day and one scrolling reminder.

Ramping up the complexity shows the weather, a to-do list, lists of which medications to take and a scrolling photo album. Help is a button-press away and a text, email or both is sent to the caregiver. The Memo Touch overrides all functions of the standard Archos 101, creating a friendly environment “so the elder cannot accidentally get lost in a maze of applications, menus, or out in cyberspace.”

Family members have full control of the Memo, which costs US$300 and requires a six (US$174) or twelve (US$300) month subscription.