Dementia affects millions of people worldwide, impacting memory, reasoning, and communication skills. The 2020 NZ Dementia Economic Report reveals that 1.4% of New Zealand residents had dementia in 2020, with projections showing this will rise to 2.7% by 2050.
Research consistently shows that cognitive stimulation and social interaction can significantly slow the progression of dementia. However, many existing solutions require active, complex interactions that can be overwhelming for elderly users or those experiencing cognitive decline.
re:Yesterday addresses this gap by providing passive communication and cognitive support that integrates seamlessly into daily routines, making memory training and social connection accessible and non-intimidating for users.
re:Yesterday is a social memory development and activity tracking application designed for elderly users, individuals who want to keep their minds active, and people experiencing cognitive decline, including dementia. The app supports memory retention through automated cognitive prompts and structured social interaction.
The core feature is a "refresher" system: users respond to questions about their daily activities, past experiences, personal preferences, or thought-provoking topics. At scheduled intervals, the app re-asks related questions to test recall of previous answers. This creates a form of spaced repetition training aimed at strengthening memory.
In addition to question-based exercises, users can log location check-ins that are displayed on an interactive map, providing a record of recent movements and places visited. Users may also set daily targets for the number of activities they wish to complete, whether as ambitious goals or more comfortable routines.
The app also incorporates a social component. Users can connect with friends and view their recent activities in a shared feed. When a user completes activities, their friends can see their progress, interact with it, and the app suggests opportunities to initiate communication through external messaging platforms. This enables memory recall exercises linked to friends' recent activities and helps reinforce both cognitive and social engagement.
Passive spaced repetition system that automatically re-asks questions about daily activities, past experiences, and personal preferences to autonomouslystrengthen memory.
Users can share their locations while they are out to notify friends and family, providing peace of mind and enabling social connection through fun location-based updates.
The app blends passive reassurance with active engagement. Activities are automatically shared with loved ones through a shared feed and notifications, creating a sense of connection without needing to reach out.
Simple daily targets that can be set as comfortable routines, with automatic progress tracking that doesn't pressure users but encourages gentle engagement.
App suggests opportunities for communication through external messaging platforms based on shared activities, making social interaction easier and more natural.
Intuitive, simple interface designed specifically for elderly users and those with cognitive conditions, ensuring the app is accessible and non-intimidating.