New app ‘painchek’ set to revolutionise dementia care

A new app could hold the key to better health care for dementia sufferers who can’t speak.

It’s called ‘painchek’ and is being trialled in Perth as a high-tech way to ease patients’ suffering.

The app was designed by Curtin University researchers and detects facial micro-expressions that indicate pain.

By tracking pain changes over time, the device helps doctors choose the right kind of treatment and deter its effectiveness.

SwanCare is trialling the new device on 15 residents at its Bentley Park care facility.

Staff say it’s already improving the accuracy of pain treatment and cutting down on instances of over-medication.

One in 10 people over 65 have dementia, and for over-85s that figure could be as high as one in three.

Right now, there’s 41,000 people living with dementia in Western Australia and that is expected to double to more than 84,000 by 2036.

The TGA-approved medical device is being picked up by clinical practices across the country.