New project on Assisted Living for people with dementia
Nearly 36 million people currently suffer from dementia globally, a number that is projected to rise to 100 million by 2050. Technological developments are presumed to assist in the daily living of adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia (MCI/D), in order to enhance their wellbeing as well as prevent and postpone institutionalization. This is achieved without the need to increase health care personnel. The goal is to confront the lack of personnel without sacrificing integrity, autonomy, independency, dignity and quality of life.
Assisted living technology (ALT) is a generic term for a heterogeneous group of technologies aiming at enhancing security and safety and enabling people to live an independent everyday life at home and in the community. Such technologies typically feature sensors with corresponding alarms (e.g. fall sensors, fire sensors and movement sensors including GPS positioning), timer-based monitoring and switch automation solutions (e.g. light switch controls, oven switches and electronic door locks), calendar-type assistance to help people remember tasks, and communication solutions connecting both devices and the person with the outside world.
The Assisted Living project brings together a group of experts in ICT, health science, social science and ethics from Norway, Germany and UK, in order to advance Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) in the field of welfare technology for people suffering from MCI/D. The project develops ALT that follows the principles of RRI, applies it in purpose built homes in an Oslo municipality and compares its impact in relation to standard approaches. The ultimate aim is to provide an alternative process of developing ALT for the ageing population that is more effective and enhances the wellbeing of MCI/D sufferers.
The project is coordinated by the Work Research Institute (AFI) at the Oslo and Akershus University with the participation of Oslo municipal care providers, the Norwegian Board of Technology, Norwegian ALT providers as well as ITAS and the UK universities of Exeter and Bristol. (11.04.2016)
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