Milbotix seeks angel investors as it develops SmartSocks for dementia management

UK startup Milbotix has announced an investment round to complete the development of its SmartSocks offering that tracks signs of stress and agitation in people with neurocognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

The company, which is backed by Alzheimer’s Society, is seeking angel investment to match grants worth over £500,000 million.

Angel investor Dean was inspired to invest after witnessing that his late mother, who had dementia, was becoming increasingly agitated and upset. 

“Smart socks would have picked up when Mum was becoming agitated and would have helped in the early days of her illness by enabling Dad to deploy the distraction techniques we used to calm her,” he says.

“They would also have helped the hard-pressed care home staff to target their care to her needs and alerted them to her distress when she was alone in her room, enabling them to respond more quickly and help relieve her anxiety.”

Agitation and aggression in dementia are often caused by unmanaged pain and anxiety. 

The SmartSocks contain comfortable sensors that measure the wearer’s sweat, pulse, temperature, and motion. The socks work in conjunction with patent pending artificial intelligence software and a mobile app that alerts carers to signs of distress.

Natasha Howard-Murray, Senior Innovator at Alzheimer’s Society, comments: “By taking the form of an everyday item, these smart socks are less stigmatising and invasive than current products and will be easier to use in care settings, helping carers to feel less overwhelmed with multiple tasks.”

Milbotix Founders Dr Zeke Steer and Jacqui Arnold say: “We are seeking passionate, impact oriented investors like Dean to help us revolutionise how dementia care is delivered. Please get in touch if you would like to support the development of the SmartSocks product line.”