Two Surrey-based start-ups have secured investment to develop digital tools that monitor hydration and track symptom changes in people with dementia.
Neu Health and Hydro Care have received backing from the Alzheimer’s Society Accelerator programme.
They will collaborate on technologies designed to support families and reduce avoidable hospital admissions.
Neu Health has developed a device to monitor symptom changes, while Hydro Care has created an app to track hydration – a common challenge in dementia care. Dehydration often leads to complications such as urinary tract infections, which can result in hospital stays.
Caroline Cake, co-founder of Neu Health, said: “We’ve seen how transformative digital tools have been with other conditions, diabetes for example, and we wanted to see if we could do the same for dementia.”
Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer, affecting memory, behaviour and thinking.
One in three people born today is expected to develop the condition in their lifetime.
The companies say their technology aims to help with day-to-day care while easing pressure on the NHS by preventing complications linked to hydration and missed changes in symptoms.
Cake said: “I’ve sadly seen first-hand after my grandmother and mother’s diagnoses.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Alzheimer’s Society to bring the app to reality.”
Simon Lord, Alzheimer’s Society’s head of innovation, said: “One in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime.
“We’re committed to the challenges people living with dementia face today.”
Neu Health and Hydro Care aim to have the product ready for market in 2026.
