Title: Remote assistance for people with dementia at home using reminiscence systems and a schedule prompter

Authors: Noriaki Kuwahara, Kiyoshi Yasuda, Nobuji Tetsutani, Kazunari Morimoto

Addresses: Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyouku, 606-8585, Japan. ' Holistics Prosthetics Research Center, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyouku, 606-8585, Japan; Rehabilitation Department of Chiba Rosai Hospital, 2-16, Tatsumidai-Higashi, Ichiharashi, 290-0003, Japan. ' School of Science and Technology for Future Life, Tokyo Denki University, 2-2 Kanda-Nishiki-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-8457, Japan; Holistic Prosthetics Research Center, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyouku, 606-8585, Japan. ' Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyouku, 606-8585, Japan

Abstract: We developed a system that remotely supports the daily lives of people with dementia at home using reminiscence video and a reminiscence conversation system with a schedule prompter to produce relaxation and prevent behavioural disturbances. Quality care at home for people with dementia puts a great burden on family caregivers. We applied our system to four individuals with dementia living at home. For two of the four, each system was more effective than watching TV and heeding the caregiver|s scheduling instructions. For remote reminiscence conversation, one individual|s psychological stability was maintained for three hours even after the conversation was finished. These results suggest that our reminiscence systems are very promising for reducing the stress of people with dementia at home and relieving the burden of family caregivers.

Keywords: dementia; reminiscence videos; reminiscence conversation systems; relaxation; behavioural disturbances; assistive technology; video phones; remote assistance; schedule prompters; home care; psychological stability; reminiscence systems; stress; family carers; healthcare technology; electronic healthcare; e-healthcare.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCIH.2010.037458

International Journal of Computers in Healthcare, 2010 Vol.1 No.2, pp.126 - 143

Published online: 13 Dec 2010 *

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