Halifax-based DGI Clinical has launched a new app, SymptomGuide Dementia, that allows caregivers to track and manage symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

The app allows caregivers to learn about dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, and provides management strategies for dealing with symptoms.

Caregivers can choose those symptoms most important to them and share progress with family and clinicians. The app is functional on iOS devices and available free on the app store.

“Over two decades of research and conversation with people living with dementia and their caregivers has formed the foundation of SymptomGuide Dementia,” Dr. Kenneth Rockwood, President and Chief Scientific Officer of the company said in a statement.  

Rockwood, a geriatrician and Alzheimer’s disease researcher, said the app is designed to give caregivers comprehensive, current information about dementia, its symptoms, stages, treatments as well as an easy-to-use method of capturing an individual’s information and experience in a manner that’s meaningful for the caregiver.

“Our hope is that the information tracked with SymptomGuideTM Dementia will be used for discussion with family members and for shared decision-making with clinicians.”

The app was launched at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Chicago, an event attended by over 5,600 clinicians, researchers and industry scientists, the statement said.

In Canada, the Alzheimer’s Society reports almost 600,000 Canadians are living with dementia. In the US, the Alzheimer's Association indicates that 5.7 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease, a number projected to reach nearly 14 million by 2050.

Over 16 million Americans currently provide care for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Most are unpaid family members who suffer an emotional, financial, and physical toll as a result of caring for people living with Alzheimer's disease. the statement said.

DGI has a suite of proprietary electronic Clinical Outcome Assessment (eCOA) tools for licensed use by sponsors in drug development. The company’s products focus mostly on digital tools for diseases of the central nervous system such as dementia, Parkinson disease, and schizophrenia but also include applications for other chronic, complex diseases such as hemophilia.