Intelligent Assistive Technology Applications to Dementia Care: Current Capabilities, Limitations, and Future Challenges

Ashok J. Bharucha, Vivek Anand, Jodi Forlizzi, Mary Amanda Dew, Charles F. Reynolds, Scott Stevens, Howard Wactlar
2009 The American journal of geriatric psychiatry  
The number of older Americans afflicted by Alzheimer disease and related dementias will triple to 13 million persons by 2050, thus greatly increasing healthcare needs. An approach to this emerging crisis is the development and deployment of intelligent assistive technologies that compensate for the specific physical and cognitive deficits of older adults with dementia, and thereby also reduce caregiver burden. The authors conducted an extensive search of the computer science, engineering, and
more » ... dical databases to review intelligent cognitive devices, physiologic and environmental sensors, and advanced integrated sensor networks that may find future applications in dementia care. Review of the extant literature reveals an overwhelming focus on the physical disability of younger persons with typically nonprogressive anoxic and traumatic brain injuries, with few clinical studies specifically involving persons with dementia. A discussion of the specific capabilities, strengths, and limitations of each technology is followed by an overview of research methodological challenges that must be addressed to achieve measurable progress to meet the healthcare needs of an aging America. (Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2008; ••:000 -000)
doi:10.1097/jgp.0b013e318187dde5 pmid:18849532 pmcid:PMC2768007 fatcat:b2ldrblq6vdmvjkrnzsjshldbq