Choosing the best memory aids

While memory loss is a key symptom of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, it can also just be a part of the normal ageing process. 

However, if memory loss is becoming a worry, do consult your doctor who can assess its severity. You can also read more information from the NHS about age-related memory loss.

In the meantime, there are plenty of aids, gadgets and devices that can make life easier and safer for you, or a loved one dealing with memory loss, including pill dispensers, stove alarms, locator systems and smartphone memory apps.

Keep scrolling for more information on the best memory aids and where to buy them. Please note that we haven't tested any of the gadgets and services we suggest in this guide, but we do have lots of useful, expert buying advice to help inform your decision. 

Personal alarms can help people who live alone feel safer and more secure by providing contact to the outside world in the event of an emergency. Find out the different options available.

Types of memory aids and gadgets

Whether you’re experiencing general memory problems or the effects of dementia, there are lots of memory aids and devices that can make a real difference to your life. 

Some memory aids are fairly technical, others less so – but all are designed to help with remembering important everyday tasks. Below, we describe some popular technology designed to help.

Clocks 

Various specialist clocks are available to help with memory problems. There are digital models that very clearly display the day of the week, as well as the time and date. Some automatically dim at night and are good for those with partial sight or low vision.

There are also ‘day clocks’ that show the days of the week on a traditional round clock face, rather than the hours of the day. These help someone with memory problems to keep track of what day it is.

Some digital clocks can also be programmed to display a message at a specific time of day, such as ‘Remember to take your pills’.

Dayclox is a popular brand of memory clock and the Alzheimer's Society sells a selection of similar clocks that automatically adjust to seasonal time changes, so you won't need to remember to tweak the time in the winter or summer.

If you're looking for a portable clock, the charity also sells a simple 'talking time' device. Designed to be attached to a keyring, it speaks the time and date whenever pressed.

• Pros: Small and convenient.
• Cons: Some are quite expensive - at around £50 or more.

Stove alarms

These alarms are good for people who are easily distracted or forgetful and who could leave the cooker turned on and unattended, risking a fire. The Innohome Stove Alarm, for example, learns how you use the cooker (to prevent false alarms) and sounds an alarm when the oven temperature rises, before a fire ignites.

If you're concerned about you or a loved one leaving the gas on the hob without igniting it then several energy suppliers - including SGN, Cadent, Northern Gas Networks and Wales & West Utilities can install a fitted locking cooker valve free of charge. 

These simple valves turn the gas on and off at the source so that the gas hob can only be used at certain times, preventing a gas leak.

• Pros: Stove alarms are a simple way to help someone stay independent longer, while locking cooker valves offer peace of mind.
• Cons: Locking cooker valves generally need to be turned on an off by someone who is caring for someone with memory loss to work effectively.

Read more advice on kitchen appliances and aids for older people and check out our built-in oven, single oven and double oven reviews to see which models we recommend.

Memo reminders and other gadgets 

There are a range of gadgets designed for those living alone who need reminding about specific tasks. The Defender Memo Minder, for example, has a motion detector that senses movement and plays a personalised message in a relative’s voice. For example, when placed at the front door, you can program it to say: ‘Mum, don’t forget your keys.’ You can also use this kind of gadget yourself to record a short message that will remind you of the day’s tasks.

Myhomehelper is a digital memory aid and communication device, much like a simple tablet computer, which combines various useful services in a single tool. It can display reminders, messages, a calendar or a digital clock, and can also be used for video calls. The system can be set up and managed online by a family member or friend. It can be used to remind someone with memory problems about upcoming events or a daily task and also allows relatives to keep in touch.

Less specialised alternatives include smart speakers - such as Google Nest or Amazon Echo. These voice controlled devices can play the radio and music playlists. But they can also respond to simple questions - such as what day is it or what is the date? - sound reminders and they can set alarms, too.

Our expert lab tested the best smart speakers on the market to reveal which are worth investing in.

For something less technical, simple sticky notes can work as a good alternative. You can place sticky notes in places where you might regularly forget things - for example on the inside of the front door, reminding you to bring your keys before leaving the house.

• Pros: Digital memory aids are specialised and have multiple functions that you can personalise.
• Cons: Smart speakers are also good for playing music, and for connecting to the internet, though they may not offer the full range of suitable reminders.

Calendars

Another simple solution is a calendar, though for some people with memory loss it can be tricky to keep track of the days. One option is a digital calendar, which automatically updates to tell you the date and time - such as myhomehelper or Defender Memo Minder that we mentioned in the section above.

If your memory is good enough to keep track of the days with a paper calendar, then a simple one on the wall can be handy. You can fill in key dates and reminders - such as when to take the bins out, or when certain bills are due.

AlzProducts.co.uk sells a simple and easy to read memory calendar that's designed to prop up on flat surface such as a kitchen counter - it has lots of space for daily notes and manual reminders. It's also in WHSmith for around £11.

• Pros: A simple and cheap solution that can help you keep track of daily, weekly and monthly appointments and other key dates.
• Cons: Not the best standalone option if you struggle to remember the date throughout the day or need more help to be independent.

Pill dispensers

These can be useful if you need a reminder to take medication or have poor memory which could lead to you taking repeated doses. They can also be useful when travelling as they are usually relatively compact.  Boots sells plastic pill boxes for less than £10, as do some more specialist retailers including essentialaids.com.

Pill organisers are normally laid out by the week, but some of the more advanced models can be loaded with up to four weeks’ medication at a time. The higher tech models can also sound an alert when you’re due to take a dose, stopping when you remove the tablets. 

Some, such as the Pivotell Automatic Pill Dispenser, can send a text message to family members or a carer if you miss a dose. This dispenser has advanced capability but is not cheap - costing around £200 for the dispenser itself and an annual fee of around £125 for text alerts.

Dosette boxes are plastic trays which can be used to organise pills into daily compartments for the whole month. If you need help filling the box, ask the pharmacy if they can provide their prescription in unit dosages or in a pre-packed dosette box. Otherwise you’ll need to organise for the box to be refilled regularly. Dosettes tend to be larger than other pill dispensers.

• Pros: Regular pill dispensers are cheap and effective if your memory is reliable enough to remember the day - while automatic and high-tech dispensers offer a range of alerts and reminders for those who need more assistance.
• Cons: Higher tech dispensers can be expensive, and some come with a monthly fee, too.

Tablets

Larger than a smartphone but smaller than a laptop, a tablet is a mini computer that can be handy for people with memory challenges.

While there are models made by big tech brands including Apple and Samsung, there are also a range of tablets specifically designed for elderly people or people with dementia. 

These tend to be easier to use - with large, intuitive screens, and they come pre loaded with handy functions. GrandPad, for example, enables video calling - which is helpful for keeping in touch with relatives - a radio, access to games, and a camera. 

Or if you or a loved one are more tech savvy and would benefit from a wider range of functions, the Apple iPad also has an intuitive navigation system. 

You can set up clocks and calendars, automated prompts and reminders, medication reminders and help with finding things. 

• Pros: Tablets aimed at older consumers are easier to use than traditional models, with large displays and simple controls.
• Cons: They don't offer the same advanced functionality of tablets made by the bigger brands. You may wish to invest in a more traditional tablet if you feel you could benefit.

Best tablets and iPads: see our Which? Best Buys and expert advice 

Voice recorders

Voice recorders, also called dictaphones, can be a useful tool. They allow you to record messages, save them, and play them back.

They could come in handy if you wanted to record a message for yourself or for a loved one reminding them about important tasks that week - such as appointments or rubbish collection days. 

Sony sells its basic voice recorder for around £40 and Argos has a Philips entry level voice recorder for around the same price.

• Pros: Generally easy to use, and relatively low cost.
• Cons: The person listening back will need to have a good enough memory to use the playback function - and you'll need to regularly delete reminders when no longer relevant.

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Locator systems

Locator devices work by attaching small sensors to everyday items that you are prone to losing, such as keys, reading glasses or your wallet. A transmitter connected to the Bluetooth in your mobile will then track down any of these items that you mislay by activating an audible alarm from the sensor that’s attached to the item.

The Tile app system, for example, allows you to locate lost items using a smartphone app that tracks sensors via a Bluetooth connection. The app shows the item on a map, with a range up to about 45 metres (150ft). It works on Android and on Apple smartphones.

Another alternative is the Apple AirTag, which works in a similar way - although this is only compatible with Apple smartphones.

• Pros: Handy for finding misplaced items within a specified distance.
• Cons: You'll need to have a smartphone for them to work.

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Other useful memory aids

Gas and smoke detectors

Smoke alarms and gas detectors that emit an audible alarm are vital if you’re in danger of forgetting that you’ve turned on or left on the cooker. They may also be available as part of a telecare package, alerting a call centre if an alarm is triggered.

The price of smoke alarms and gas detectors can vary considerably - but do avoid our Don't Buy smoke alarms, which failed basic tests. 

• Pros: It's recommended every home should have a working fire and carbon monoxide detector fitted for safety - regardless of any memory challenges.
• Cons: You'll need to test them regularly and remember to replace any batteries when needed.

Best smoke alarms: see our Which? Best Buys and expert buying advice

Reminder phone calls

There are services where automated phone calls can be arranged for people with memory difficulties to remind them about important tasks, such as taking medication or eating and drinking. 

For example, Care Calls is a service that enables family members to record personalised reminder messages for a loved one. It also sends an alert to a named contact if the call is not answered. Basic reminder calls (without a voice message) can also be set up on a BT landline.

Carium is another provider that can make daily phone calls to your loved one to check on their welfare and to remind them to eat, take medication or go to bed. 

• Pros: Can be set up at the same time each day to establish some routine, and can help provide some additional daily interaction.
• Cons: Comes at a cost. Carium charges from around £15 a month and Care Calls costs from around £12 per month for the most entry level service.

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Smartphone memory apps

Smartphones and tablets have many useful apps that can help with memory problems which come as standard. These include calendars that allow you to set reminders for appointments and events, and maps that can track where you are and show you where you need to get to.

There are also smartphone apps designed to help you remember to take specific medication. Most of these give you an audible or visual reminder once you’ve set the dosage times and the names of the medication. However, there are obvious limitations in relying on a smartphone app in this way. If you mislay your phone, or your phone battery or signal isn’t working, then neither will the memory aid.

Timeless is an app that uses facial recognition technology to help dementia patients remember or identify friends and family using a smartphone’s camera and photo gallery. This is combined with an easy-to-use calendar that gives reminders of upcoming events. Like many memory aids, to work well this will rely on a loved one or carer making sure that reminders are kept up to date and relevant.

Book of You is a multimedia app that helps people re-create their life story using words, pictures, music and films. It's based on the principle of reminiscence therapy – using the senses to help people with dementia remember events, people and places from their past lives. 

• Pros: Can be an engaging and convenient way to set reminders and connect with memories.
• Cons: Some with more advanced memory loss may struggle to use them.

For more tips on using smartphone technology in later life, read about the best simple mobile phones.

Where to buy memory gadgets

When it comes to buying equipment to help you stay independent at home, you might want to start by getting professional advice from a doctor, occupational therapist or a local disabled living centre. They can help you to decide what equipment is suitable for your needs, as well as advise you on whether you may be able to get the equipment for free from the NHS or your local social services.

Memory aids can be bought from a wide variety of retailers, so it's worth comparing price, warranties and returns policies before buying. But here are some of the most popular retailers:

• Alzheimer’s Society has an online shop that offers many products specifically for people who suffer from memory loss. The range includes digital calendar clocks, priced from around £25 up to £125.
• Healthcare Pro is a specialist retailer that sells a wide range of items aimed at people with memory problems. These include clocks, pill dispensers, home telephones and personal alarms with free delivery for orders over £70.
• AlzProducts stocks talking clocks, calendars, voice memo reminders, and pill dispensers. They offer returns on unused items, although you'll need to pay postage.
• Screwfix sells smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, as does Argos from around £17. 
• Boots, Superdrug and many other chemists sell plastic pill boxes for less than £10.
• Tile sells its Bluetooth tracker gadgets direct from its UK website. The range includes several different devices at different price points, including its wallet tracker which is priced at £29.99 and comes with a one year warranty. 

Note: some of the products named in this article have been included because they were among the recommended products selected by a panel of experts for Which? in 2016. There may be various other products on the market that offer similar features.