Computer System for Dementia Patients
From: SINTEF - 06/11/2009

The shortage of healthcare workers has led to a demand for computer-based
solutions that will allow elderly people to live in the own homes. However,
the technology needed to care for the elderly is expensive, and different
standards in home sensors create additional hurdles. To solve these problems,
the European Union launched a series of projects to make it easier for
industry to develop new equipment for elder care, including a project called
Mpower, which was dedicated to creating a computer platform that could be
used in numerous projects and fit a wide variety of needs. The project is
testing a simple communication system based on a computer screen. The system
does not need a keyboard, and features a touch screen that uses large, simple
to understand icons. The screen can be used by family members and healthcare
professionals to remind elderly residents to take their medication, perform
other tasks, or when care givers will be arriving. The screen can relay
information to care givers to inform them of whether the resident's
appointments have been kept. Since last summer, several elderly people have
been testing the system, which uses sensors and a global positioning system
to provide smart solutions in the home and alert care givers if the resident
has entered an unsafe area. 

Read the entire article at:
http://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=58538&CultureCode=en
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090611065837.htm

Links:
SINTEF
http://www.sintef.com/

Marius Mikalsen
http://www.sintef.no/Home/Information-and-Communication-Technology-ICT/Software-Engineering-Safety-and-Security/Employees/?EmpId=538

Overview of MPOWER: Middleware platform for the cognitively impaired and elderly
http://www.cs.ucy.ac.cy/networksgroup/pubs/published/2007/ISTAfrica_MPOWER_May_2007.pdf

The Dakim [m]Power Featured at The Once-A-Decade White House Conference on Aging
http://www.homehealthprovider.com/article.mvc/The-Dakim-mPower-Featured-At-The-Once-A-Decad-0001?VNETCOOKIE=NO

Neurologist Helps Patients Fight Dementia with Dakim's [m]Power
http://www.examiner.com/p-231800~Neurologist_Helps_Patients_Fight_Dementia_With_Dakim_s__m_Power__Using_Senior_Brain_Training_Machine_in_California_Memory_Clinic.html