In a time where people are focused on their health more than ever before, many are seeking out ways to not only improve their physical health, but their cognitive health as well. As a speech-language pathologist, one of the most frequently asked questions I receive is, “Are there any apps that I can download to improve my memory?”

The first line of defense is to speak with your physician about your memory concerns; however, there are other things that can help maintain or improve your cognition. Whether your concerns are related to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, another form of dementia, an injury, a neurological condition such as Parkinson’s disease, or simply trying to maintain or improve your cognition, below are some apps you can download to help address these impairments.

1. The Problem Solve It (available for iPad)

The Problem Solve It app costs $14.99 and was created by speech-language pathologists utilizing evidence-based information. It is designed to help individuals with cognitive impairments that are functional in nature and relate to social communication, management of finances, health, literacy, education, and personal thinking.

2. Constant Therapy (available on the App Store or Google Play)

Constant Therapy is $29.99/month following a free two-week trial. This app has evidence-based interactive therapy activities that were created by a group of neuroscientists and speech-language pathologists from Boston University. Constant Therapy can link an individual’s account with speech-language pathologists so they can review progress, track activity, and assign homework.

3. Fit Brain Trainer (available for App Store or Google Play)

Fit Brain Trainer is free to download and costs $0.99 to access the complete app. The app aims to improve concentration, visualization, calculation, intelligence, and both short-term and visual memory. The main principle is based on the famous pairs matching game, but it further challenges you to not only recall the position of passing cards, but also the main features that unite them, such as math, details, associations, and more.

4. CogniFit (available for App Store or Google Play)

The CogniFit app is $19.99/month or $119.99/year. Developed by neuroscientists, this interactive, mental game app helps stimulate cognitive skills through personalized training. The goal is to evaluate and train cognitive processes such as memory, attention, concentration, executive functions, reasoning, planning, mental agility, coordination, and more.

5. Elevate (available for App Store or Google Play)

Elevate is $4.99/month or $39.99/year. This app won Apple’s App of the Year award and is designed to improve your mind’s focus, memory, speaking abilities, processing speed, and math skills. Elevate creates personalized training over time to maximize results.

6. Peak (available for App Store or Google Play)

Peak is $4.99/month, $24.99 for 6 months, or $34.99 for a year of full access. This app is designed to push you hard with short, intense workouts while challenging your focus, memory, problem-solving, mental agility, and more. A coach will assist you with tracking your progress and challenge you with new workouts to show where you may need to improve in order to continue toward your goals.

It is important to keep in mind that while these apps can be fun and stimulating, apps that are used as external aides are typically identified as the most useful tool to reduce the stress for caregivers responsible for individuals with a mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. There is little evidence of the overall long-term benefits of these apps, games on cognition, and the prevention of the development of dementia.

If you or a loved have experienced changes in your cognition, talk to your physician to determine the next steps, or fill out our contact form or call (804) 764-1000 to request a full evaluation from a speech-language pathologist who can determine appropriate interventions.

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