MemBo simplifies life with technology for people with dementia

Award-winning service, MemBo Noticeboard, provides a simple replacement for wall calendars, whiteboards and notes to help your loved one or client keep track of appointments and other information.

MemBo is an application that makes it easy for families, irrespective of where they live, to be involved and informed at all times, and there is no need to be super tech-savvy to use the program.

It’s a simple app that displays appointments, notes and photos on tablets and mobile phones.

The information can be instantly updated from anywhere by multiple people, including family and care teams, and the person being supported does not need to touch the device to view the Noticeboard which can be on display 24/7 or told to go to sleep through the night.

MemBo resulted from Co-Founders Mark and Anne-Louise Underwood helping Mrs Underwood’s mum to keep track of her daily activities with the increasing challenges of Alzheimer’s dementia.

Diana Mills’ memory was failing, she had a growing need to make constant phone calls to confirm information and was experiencing increasing levels of panic and worry.

At 90, and with no technological ability, the noticeboard became her trusted source with amazing speed. Within 24 hours, the need for constant daily calls all but disappeared and were replaced with feelings of stability and certainty.

Mrs Underwood says, “Our steadily growing feelings of overwhelm and concern diminished substantially and have ultimately lead to the ability to provide better support for longer.

“Two years down the track from that first 24 hours, there is no doubt that MemBo Noticeboard has extended mum’s independence and enhanced her quality of life immeasurably.

“Because it’s online, the information displayed can be kept 100 percent up-to-date and accurate at all times, responding minute-by-minute to schedule changes and the need for answers to worrying questions like whether the bills are paid.”

MemBo doesn’t even need to be touched on the tablet device for the loved one or client to view the information, updates appear automatically.

The service is also highly relevant in residential care environments. MemBo can provide information to residents when they need it and their families can manage the noticeboard to ensure the information is accurate and responsive to their loved one’s needs.

MemBo can reduce panic and worry for residents while the staff receive fewer questions and families won’t need to make as many phone calls for small things.

“Most information can be updated using the app on a mobile or tablet, however, the online Family Hub provides additional features,” explains Mrs Underwood.

“There’s a full function diary that makes entering multiple and recurring appointments easy, and the ability to store notes, including notes from attending care workers, which are entered on the client’s noticeboard and sent straight up to the Family Hub.

“Care teams can manage their own appointments on their clients’ noticeboards, providing much-needed support and communication between families, paid carers and the person being supported.”

Appointments can also include photos of care workers or an image of a shower or shopping trolley, making it easy for the user to understand what they need to do. There is the option of an audible alarm and visual cue on the app while alerts users to upcoming appointments.

The app has a range of sleep and display settings that allows the user to make changes to the interface so it fits within your home life, whether that be a three-bedroom house, a single room in an aged care facility or a two-bedroom retirement village apartment.

MemBo is providing a 30 day, obligation-free, trial for consumers and Mrs Underwood says they will assist new sign-ups through the trial so they can reach the best results possible.

To contact MemBo Noticeboard for more information, head to their website, email info@membonoticeboard.om or call 07 3880 4535 to arrange a free trial.

MemBo Noticeboard is the classic example of a challenging personal experience resulting in a wonderful public solution. With a background in medical administration software, when Co-Founders Mark and Anne-Louise Underwood faced the mounting stress of constant phone calls from a loved one with dementia, the natural decision was to create a solution.  When it proved so effective, they realised they could help others and commercialised the system. In October 2019, they were one of the four national Decoding Dementia winners, and now in 2020, are set to take the system to as many people and families who can benefit as possible. In the delivery of this solution to other families, Mrs and Mr Underwood have developed a deep commitment to supporting people living with dementia and their families and carers.