AlzAssistant wins Rep. Josh Harder’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in California’s Ninth District

When asked what inspired the creation of AlzAssistant, the student said, “My grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in his 60s. Every time my mom would visit him, she would have the fear of him not remembering who she was. His Alzheimer’s was more on the severe side, as he already had multiple brain issues. There was an instance where he stepped out of the house all by himself, but forgot what he came outside for. A gatekeeper who recognized him kindly brought him back home. He would also forget to take his medicines, what they would look like, or when to take them. Sometimes, he also struggled to remember other routine tasks, such as eating lunch or taking a shower. My grandmother, who was also his caretaker, was around his age so he would also occasionally forget certain medicines my grandfather was prescribed, his appointments, and more. She would recognize the medicines by looking at the bottle’s color or shape. As she was unable to drive, she’d have to look for nearby doctors every time and maintain a log of his visits. Every time, she would have to set an alarm to give medicines to my grandfather timely. Considering all of these difficulties, I thought of creating a solution to address the needs of Alzheimer’s patients, as I have experienced how it feels when our loved ones are struggling to perform their daily activities when diagnosed with this form of dementia. This app is a ‘one-stop shop’ for most of the needs expressed by individuals with such medical conditions. AlzAssistant’s main goal is to provide resources in times of need, engaging them in day-to-day tasks, and also connecting them to their families.”