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Overcoming everyday problems with Alzheimer's and dementia through technology
The number of dementia patients is growing rapidly and the development of effective treatment methods is progressing, but a cure remains unavailable for the time being. Therefore, in the short term, above all, the question arises as to how the everyday problems of those affected can be minimized. Here technical innovations offer promising potential. In the project. MEMENTO researchers are looking for technical solutions for dealing with forgetfulness in everyday life.
Among others, scientists from the Medical University of Vienna (MedUni Vienna) are involved in the European research project MEMENTO (Memory and Moments collected). The aim of the project is the development of technical solutions to facilitate the handling of forgetfulness in everyday life. For this a program is developed, in which personal pictures, videos and notes can be collected. Subsequent successes in a so-called cloud (online data storage), an intelligent processing of the data, so that they then serve as a reminder, reports MedUni Vienna.
In a recent research project, scientists are working on technical solutions that help dementia patients against forgetfulness and related everyday problems. (Image: vege / fotolia.com) Increasing number of dementias
The term dementia is a group of clinical pictures that "interfere with cognitive functions such as memory, language, orientation, comprehension and judgment", explains the experts of MedUni Vienna. According to the MedUni Vienna, about 130,000 people currently live with a form of dementia in Austria, although according to expert estimates, the number of people living in Austria is increasing and older. "In view of demographic developments, the disease has become an important social and health policy topic Will double in 2050. It is the Alzheimer's disease with up to 80 percent of cases, the most common form of dementia.
Dementia causes far-reaching everyday problems
The dementia diseases lead to significant impairments in everyday life such as in the organization of the household, the settlement of financial matters or the perception of medical appointments, which often leads to an additional deterioration in mood, a change in social behavior and impaired motivation, reports the MedUni Vienna. This is where the MEMENTO project comes in, which is carried out jointly by eight research centers in Austria, Italy and Spain.
Convey a sense of security
"The MEMENTO program should be able to remind patients with mild dementia of daily events, situations and places, and to help them keep new information," says Elisabeth Stögmann from the University Department of Neurology at MedUni Vienna. The technical solution is designed to give people with dementia a sense of security and create a familiar environment, Stögmann continues. The program will consist of three components, with which personal pictures, videos and notes can be collected. Subsequently, an intelligent processing of the information in a cloud, so that the data are suitable as a reminder.
Helpful short-term reminder
The short-term memory support could be particularly helpful for those affected because, according to Elisabeth Stögmann, most people with dementia can recall earlier moments better than recent events. "It is possible that they remember a variety of facts or experiences, but are very forgetful of current things - such as recent events or just discussed -," Stögmann continued. Thus, people with dementia often find it difficult to remember what happened a few minutes or hours ago, but on the other hand, they can remember relatively well the events that happened when they were much younger.
In the research project, "the technical implementation will be accompanied by potential users right from the start," adds Sten Hanke of the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH. Overall, a broad interdisciplinary team of experts from various departments is involved in the project. In addition to scientists in the medical field of the MedUni Vienna, the University Hospital in Perugia and a care facility in Spain are also researchers of the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH and design experts from BKM Design Studio represented. The industrial partners VirtualWare, WeTouch, Integris and Citard Services are focused on the fact that the developed solution can also be brought to market, according to the MedUni Vienna.
According to the MedUni, the project is funded by the Active and Assisted Living (AAL) program, which supports projects that promote information and communication technology to improve the quality of life of older people. The AAL program will support the development and testing of the solution in three European countries for the next three years with two million euros. Also, national funding from the "benefit program of the FFG" for the MEMENTO project are provided. (Fp)