Get ‘brainy’ this week

Australians are being urged to download Alzheimer’s Australia’s brain-heart health tracker, the BrainyApp, as Brain Awareness Week kicked off on Monday (12 March 2012).

Considered a “world-first”, the BrainyApp was developed in partnership with Bupa Health Foundation and is part of Alzheimer’s Australia’s national risk reduction Mind Your Mind program.

The app was designed to help Australians, as well as the rest of the world, to improve brain-heart health and assist in reducing the risk of developing dementia.

Since its launch in November last year, almost 200,000 people have downloaded BrainyApp to learn more about how they may be able to improve their brain-heart health.

Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria chief executive, Maree McCabe, said the app’s rapid success demonstrates Australia’s eagerness for information and strategies to help improve their brain health.

“It is fantastic to see Australians wanting to make active lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of developing dementia,” she said.

“Research suggests eating well and being physically active, maintaining an active social life and keeping mentally stimulated are some of the best things you can do to try to reduce your risk of developing dementia,” she added.

According to Ms McCabe, there were an estimated 69,000 Victorians living with dementia, and as the population ages the number was set to “skyrocket by 50%” by 2020.

“The time to act is now. While there is as yet no cure, research shows it may be possible to reduce your risk of developing dementia, or delay the onset by taking action in your 30s, 40s and 50s,” she said.

BrainyApp is free to download for users of iPhone, iPod and iPad devices from the App Store. For more information, click here.