Image credit: Stephen Craven / CC BY-SA 2.0Researchers, hoping to reduce the number of outbursts had by dementia patients in long-term-care facilities, have set out to evaluate and modify a tool that may soothe agitated residents.
Called Ambient Activity (or AA; Ambient Activity Technologies, Inc.), the interactive tool is designed to reduce feelings of boredom in such patients (a common reason for wandering and violent outbursts).
The exterior of the technology resembles old-fashioned radios and television sets with its wood case and knobs, meant to create feelings of familiarity and comfort with the device for this population.
The technology is wall-mounted for easy access and the patient can simply turn a knob or flip a switch to display content personalized to that patient. The content can be in the form of a slideshow of family pictures, favorite movie clips, music and games (all selected and preloaded by family or staff members). The device, which uses Bluetooth technology to connect residents with their tailored programming, can be activated 24/7.
According to Andrea Wilkinson, a postdoctoral research fellow in mechanical and industrial engineering at the University of Toronto, "AA aims to treat the cause rather than the symptom by creating meaningful physical, mental and social engagement with personalized activities and content. Our goal is to help people with dementia maintain their physical and cognitive status as much as possible while enhancing their quality of life."
Testing on the device will continue before it is available for commercial release.
The work was recently presented at the 2017 International Symposium on Human Factors and Ergonomics in Health Care, held in March in New Orleans, Louisiana.
