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Independent Living Functions for the Elderly (IN-LIFE): Supporting Communication in Dementia
Sarah K Smith1, Arlene J Astell2
1University of Sheffield, UK.
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
|September 7, 2017
Summary
The IN-LIFE project supports elderly individuals with cognitive impairments to live independently using information and communication technology (ICT) services. Sheffield
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Science
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Cognitive impairments significantly impact elderly individuals' independence.
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) offers potential solutions for supporting independent living.
- Multidisciplinary, multisite European projects are crucial for addressing complex challenges in aging populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prolong and support independent living for people with cognitive impairments.
- To investigate the effectiveness of ICT services in enhancing daily functions for the elderly.
- To focus on improving communication and conversation skills in older adults with cognitive decline.
Main Methods:
- A 3-year multidisciplinary, multisite European project (IN-LIFE).
- Implementation of ICT services tailored for cognitive support.
- Research conducted at six European sites, with Sheffield focusing on communication enhancement.
Main Results:
- Touchscreen computers are being utilized to enhance communication and conversations.
- The project aims to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of ICT for independent living.
- Preliminary findings suggest potential for ICT to mitigate communication challenges.
Conclusions:
- ICT services hold promise for supporting independent living in the elderly with cognitive impairments.
- Enhancing communication through technology can positively impact the quality of life for older adults.
- Multisite collaboration is vital for developing and validating effective technological interventions for aging populations.
Keywords:
Dementiacommunicationinformation and communication technology (ICT)psychosocialreminiscenceMore Related Videos
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