Almost a million people in the UK are living with dementia, and the Alzheimer's Society expects that number to reach 1.4 million by 2040. Losing track of the day, the date, or whether it is morning or evening is one of the most common challenges that people with dementia have to manage.
The right clock can quietly change that. A clear display of the day, date, and time of day brings reassurance, supports a familiar routine, and helps someone stay independent at home for longer.
Here we compare seven of the best calendar and day clocks for dementia, from simple orientation clocks to reminder clocks that prompt daily tasks. You will find verified prices, which one suits and an honest note on what it does not do. Relish makes two of the clocks featured here.
The best clocks for dementia at a glance
Prices are correct at the time of writing, and many of these clocks qualify for VAT relief, which we explain below.=
|
Clock |
Best for |
Dementia stage |
What it does |
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Daily reminders and routine |
Early-Mid |
Day clock with up to 10 task alerts |
£179.99 (£149.99 with VAT relief) |
|
|
Photo, voice, and video reminders |
Early-Mid |
Reminder clock with personalised media prompts |
£129.98 (£108.32 with VAT relief) |
|
|
Medication and appointment alarms |
Early-Mid |
Reminder clock with 20 reminders and 17 alarms |
£102.00 (£85.00 with VAT relief) |
|
|
Simple day-and-date orientation |
Early-Mid |
Clear day clock that links to the Day Hub |
£99.99 (£83.32 with VAT relief) |
|
|
A budget digital calendar clock |
Early |
Day, date, time, and part of day on a backlit screen |
£64.99 (£54.16 with VAT relief) |
|
|
A large, self-setting display |
Early-Mid |
Radio-controlled clock with extra-large text |
£44.95 (£37.46 with VAT relief) |
|
|
Day and night confusion |
Early-Mid |
Analogue clock with sun and moon prompts |
£33.49 (£27.91 with VAT relief) |
What is a calendar clock for dementia?
A calendar clock for dementia is a clock that spells out the day, date and time of day in large, clear words rather than as hands on a dial. It removes the guesswork of reading a traditional clock, so someone can see at a glance that it is, for example, Monday morning. Many also add gentle reminders for daily tasks.
What to look for when choosing a clock
Start with the person, not the product. The best choice depends on where someone is in their dementia journey and what they find easy to read and use.
A few features make the biggest difference:
-
A large, high-contrast display with the day and date written in full words.
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The time of day is shown clearly, such as morning, afternoon, evening, or night.
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Simple set-up, with as few buttons and settings as possible.
-
Auto-dimming, so the screen is easy to read by day and not too bright at night.
-
Reminders or alarms, if prompts for medication, meals, or appointments, would help.
It is also worth checking whether a clock qualifies for VAT relief, which we explain below.
The seven best calendar and day clocks for dementia
Relish Day Hub: Best for daily reminders and routine
Buy the Relish Day Hub for £179.99, or £149.99 with VAT relief.
Best features
-
A 7-inch HD display with a wide viewing angle, in eight languages.
-
Up to ten personalised task alerts with audio and visual cues.
-
Auto-dimming, with a backup battery that keeps settings safe.
-
Automatically updates when the clocks change, giving you peace of mind.
Best for
Early stage dementia, for someone who benefits from prompts for everyday tasks, and the family or carers supporting them.
Not ideal for
Someone who only needs the day and date, where a simpler clock will do, or anyone who can no longer respond to a prompt. It is mains-powered, so it needs to sit near a socket.
MemRabel 2: Best for photo, voice, and video reminders
The MemRabel 2 prompts with familiar faces and voices. Alongside the time and date, it plays personalised audio, picture, and video reminders, which can make a message land far better than a beep or a line of text.
Buy the MemRabel 2 for £129.98, or £108.32 with VAT relief, from Health and Care.
Best features
-
An unlimited number of reminders, from medication to birthdays.
-
Audio, photo, and video prompts, with 120 built in and the option to add your own.
-
Set up by a carer or loved one using the included remote, or your own files.
Best for
Early to middle stages of dementia, particularly for someone who responds warmly to a familiar face or voice when a plain alarm no longer registers, and carers who want to record personalised prompts.
Not ideal for
Someone who only needs a simple day clock rather than reminders. It is one of the pricier options here, and setting up your own photos or video takes a little time at the start.
Rosebud Reminder Clock: Best for medication and mealtime alarms
Buy the Rosebud Reminder Clock for £102.00, or £85.00 with VAT relief, from the Alzheimer's Society shop.
Best features
-
20 built-in reminders and 17 alarms, with custom audio and text options.
-
Four screen displays to suit different needs, with simple buttons.
-
Auto-dimming for day and night, wall-mounted or freestanding.
Best for
Early to mid stages of dementia, in a household juggling several daily prompts, particularly around medication and mealtimes.
Not ideal for
Someone who only needs simple orientation rather than alarms. Its many options mean it is worth setting up carefully with the person who will use it.
Relish Day Connect: Best for simple day-and-date orientation
The Day Connect is a clear, no-fuss day clock that shows the day, date, and time of day at a glance. It can also link with the Day Hub, repeating task alerts in another room.
Buy the Relish Day Connect for £99.99, or £83.32 with VAT relief.
Best features
-
A clean, easy-to-read display of the day, date, and part of the day.
-
Connects with the Day Hub to share task alerts across rooms.
-
Auto-dimming, so the screen is easy to read by day and not too bright at night.
-
Automatically updates when the clocks change, giving you peace of mind.
-
Available on its own or in multi-room bundles.
Best for
Early to mid stages of dementia, for someone who mainly needs reassurance about the day and date, and households wanting a second clock in another room.
Not ideal for
Someone who needs structured reminders, where the Day Hub fits better. On its own, it focuses on orientation rather than prompts.
DayClox 3-in-1: Best budget digital calendar clock
The DayClox 3-in-1 keeps things simple and affordable. Its backlit screen shows the day, date, and time alongside the part of the day, so there is only one clear thing to read and understand.
Buy the DayClox 3-in-1 for £64.99, or £54.16 with VAT relief, from AlzProducts.
Best features
-
Day, date, time, and the part of the day on a single clear screen.
-
A bright, backlit LED screen with an automatic night dimmer.
-
Mains powered with a battery backup to keep the time accurate.
Best for
Early to mid stages of dementia, for someone who mostly loses track of the day or date, and anyone who finds extra features off-putting.
Not ideal for
Someone who needs reminders or alarms, which it does not offer. It is mains-powered, so it needs a socket nearby.
Geemarc Viso 10: Best for a large, self-setting display
The Geemarc Viso 10 is built around readability. Its extra-large text and self-setting time make it one of the easiest clocks to live with, especially where sight is also a concern.
Buy the Geemarc Viso 10 for £44.95, or £37.46 with VAT relief, from Health and Care.
Best features
-
A large display with non-abbreviated days, dates, and months for clearer reading.
-
Radio-controlled, so it sets itself and updates for the clocks changing.
-
Battery-powered with three AA batteries, so it needs no cable or socket.
Best for
Early to mid stage dementia, for someone who needs the biggest, clearest display possible, including where sight is also a concern, and carers who would rather not adjust settings.
Not ideal for
Someone who needs reminders, which it does not offer, so pair it with a reminder clock if prompts are needed.
Alzheimer's Society Day and Night Clock: Best for day and night confusion
For someone who regularly mixes up day and night, the Alzheimer's Society Day and Night Clock makes the difference plain, using a clear sun for daytime and a moon for night alongside bold hands and large numbers.
Buy the Alzheimer's Society Day and Night Clock for £33.49, or £27.91 with VAT relief.
Best features
-
Clear sun and moon images to show day or night at a glance.
-
Bold hands and large, clear numbers in a robust frame.
-
Morning, afternoon, and evening labelling for extra context.
Best for
Early to mid stage dementia, for someone who wakes unsure of the time of day or becomes unsettled in the evenings; buying it also supports the charity's work.
Not ideal for
Someone who finds an analogue clock hard to read, whereas a digital day clock is clearer. As an analogue clock, it asks a little more of the reader.
Where to buy clocks for dementia
You can buy calendars and day clocks for dementia from us at Relish, from the Alzheimer's Society shop, and from specialist disability and mobility retailers. Browse our range of dementia clocks to compare the Day Hub, Day Connect and bundles in one place.
Many of these clocks qualify for VAT relief. Under gov.uk rules on VAT relief for disabled people, products designed for someone with a long-term illness or disability can be bought free of VAT by eligible buyers.
Because dementia is a qualifying long-term illness or disability, the buyer only needs to complete a short written declaration at checkout. Being older on its own does not qualify, so it is worth checking eligibility before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best clock for someone with dementia?
The best clock for someone with dementia is the one that matches their needs and stage. A simple day-and-date display such as the Day Connect or DayClox suits later stages, while a reminder clock such as the Day Hub or MemRabel 2 helps when prompts for daily tasks would be useful. Always start with what the person finds easy to read.
Do clocks for dementia qualify for VAT relief?
Many do. Clocks designed for people with a long-term condition such as dementia can usually be bought free of VAT by eligible buyers, who complete a short declaration at the point of sale. The Relish Day Hub, for example, is £179.99, or £149.99 with VAT relief.
What is the difference between a day clock and a calendar clock?
A day clock focuses on showing the time of day, such as morning or evening. A calendar clock adds the day and date in full. Many clocks for dementia, including the Relish Day Hub and Day Connect, combine both so someone sees the day, date, and time of day together.
How much do dementia clocks cost?
Clocks for dementia range from around £33 for a simple analogue day and night clock to about £180 for a reminder clock such as the Relish Day Hub. Most simple digital calendar clocks sit between £45 and £100. Many qualify for VAT relief, which lowers the price for eligible buyers.
How do you set the time on a dementia clock?
Most day clocks are designed to be set once and then left alone, and some, like the Geemarc Viso 10, set themselves by radio signal. On the Relish Day Hub, settings are saved by a backup battery, so the clock keeps the right day and time even if it is briefly unplugged.
Finding a clock that fits your routine
Picking the right dementia calendar clock is not about finding the fanciest bit of technology. It’s about providing comfort and reassurance. When someone can see at a glance that it is Tuesday morning, the day feels steadier, and so does the support around them.
If reminders and routine would help, our Day Hub is a warm place to start; if a clear day and date is all that is needed, the Day Connect or a simple calendar clock may be perfect. Take a look at our dementia clocks to find the one that fits the person you love.
