NHS trial uses smart sensors to support people living with dementia
The trial, led by the UK Dementia Research Institute and Imperial College London with funding from LifeArc, involves more than 250 families across the UK
The UK's National Health Service is testing smart home sensors and wearable technology to help people living with dementia remain safely at home for longer.
The trial, led by the UK Dementia Research Institute and Imperial College London with funding from LifeArc, involves more than 250 families across the UK, says the BBC.
The project aims to help people with dementia maintain their independence for longer, reduce preventable hospital visits and give family caregivers greater peace of mind.
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Among those taking part are Jyoti Patel, who was diagnosed with dementia five years ago, and her husband Bharat. The couple are working as "super testers" for the trial in west London.
The technology connects a range of devices through the internet to monitor health and daily activities.
Room sensors monitor general movement and check for potential falls, while appliance sensors can indicate whether routine activities such as cooking and eating are taking place. Door sensors monitor whether a person leaves the home at night.
Patel's bed is fitted with a smart mattress that monitors sleep disturbances, as well as her heart rate and breathing rate. The information is intended to help identify early signs of infection.
The trial is also testing smart socks and specialised watches that measure body temperature and monitor long-term changes in gait, which can help identify signs of physical frailty.
Data from the devices is reviewed continuously by doctors, nurses and clinical specialists.
Sarah Daniels, health and social care lead at the UK DRI, said identifying subtle changes in a person's health could provide earlier signals for intervention. This can allow clinicians and GPs to address medical complications or care challenges before they develop into emergencies.
The technology and ongoing monitoring cost about £2,000 a year per household. Scaling the system to the nearly one million people living with dementia in the UK would require significant investment, but the annual cost per patient is equivalent to about a couple of weeks in a care home.
Privacy is also a consideration in the trial. None of the monitoring devices record video or audio, allowing medical staff to receive information on health trends without directly recording people inside their homes.
