Computer scientists are working with one of Scotland’s largest charities to create intelligent remote sensors to help with the care of vulnerable people.
The University of Aberdeen researchers have joined forces with leading Scottish charity Cornerstone Community Care to develop high tech software systems that could help people with disabilities, special needs and the elderly live more independently in their own homes.
The pioneering project will be highlighted on Wednesday at the University of Aberdeen's Innovate with Aberdeen Frontiers of Excellence event which is a showcase of cutting edge research underway at the institution.
The state of the art system is based on a network of sensors that could be fitted at various points throughout a vulnerable person's home. Such sensors could also feature webcams.
Unusual behaviour, temperature drops, flooding, open doors and windows, fire and gas hazards are among the many potential problems such a system can detect. These would then prompt a warning to be flashed to a remote care room staffed around the clock alerting Cornerstone to take action.
Looming care challenges prompted the charity to seek technological solutions for a future where a 75% increase in the number of over 75s in Scotland is predicted by 2031. At the same time, the proportion of the Scottish population of working age is predicted to fall significantly.
Nick Baxter, Cornerstone Founder and Chief Executive, said: "Government figures predict an aging population combined with a rise in fragmented families, more people living alone, people living longer but not necessarily in the best of health, more chronic disease and mental illness and increasing health inequalities.
"All of this amounts to a 'care tsunami'. Where are all the people who are going to look after this future population?
"We hope leading edge technologies designed by the University of Aberdeen and customised for Cornerstone will help us tackle this impending challenge. Intelligent software systems that analyse data from a network of remote sensors could ensure maximum independence and quality of life for vulnerable people and greatly help with their care."
Dr Ernesto Compatangelo, a computing scientist at the University, is working together with Cornerstone on two initiatives that will support a wide range of people including those with learning and physical disabilities and dementia sufferers.
The first - under the UK Government's Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme which helps business grow by tapping into the UK's knowledge base - will see the creation of Cornerstone.net – a state of the art software infrastructure allowing the charity to communicate remotely with its carers automatically conveying each day to their mobile phones, hand held Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), or laptops all the information they need - on a case-by-case basis.
Dr Compatangelo explained: "This will include everything from dynamically allocated work rotas and last-minute changes to them to the information carers require about the people they are going to see that day. This should allow carers to spend more time with the people they support and also prevent them carrying around huge loads of sensitive information."
This first initiative is being followed and complemented by a second one: the development of an assisted living infrastructure based on networks of remote sensors monitored by intelligent software. This is also seen as a key player in tackling the growing costs of providing care and support for the elderly, people with disabilities and other special needs.
Dr Compatangelo said: "It is estimated that 70% of the population aged 65 and over develop minor dementia and tend to forget things. Those who need extra help perhaps don't want to move out of the home they have lived in for a number of years.
"Intelligent software which analyses data from a network of remote sensors that are deployed in the homes of those with dementia and other vulnerable people could help them to enjoy independent life in their familiar living environment, at the same time providing them with a much needed caring eye around the clock.
"Low cost sensors could be unobtrusively deployed according to different needs in a personalised manner – some configurations could have webcams while others would not. The person would choose the kind of sensor they require.
"Whatever the configuration, intelligent software acting as a caring eye 24/7 would alert for behaviour that might give carers cause for concern. Perhaps a door or window has been left open, maybe the usual patterns of daily life haven't been followed or there is a suspicious lack of activity that might indicate someone has fallen over.
"Sensor networks and intelligent software would not exclude or rule out human contact but could certainly enhance care and remove the huge costs, the difficulties, and the emotional impact of arranging live in care."