Title: LTC for seniors: an intelligent gaming solution

Authors: Dario Maggiorini; Laura Anna Ripamonti

Addresses: Department of Computer Science, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Comelico 39 – I-20135 Milano, Italy ' Department of Computer Science, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Comelico 39 – I-20135 Milano, Italy

Abstract: The current demographic ageing in Europe is the result of a relevant economic, social, and medical development. Nevertheless, at the same time, it is also leading to a significant increase in the demand for long-term care (LTC) to seniors. One viable way to offer qualified cares at home, while at the same time containing costs, is to exploit digital technologies as enablers of a constant interaction between seniors and assisting personnel. In this paper, we propose a top-to-bottom solution to provide at home LTC to seniors: from requirements analysis, to design methodology for ambient intelligence (AmI), to a working prototypal architecture with implementation. The proposed system aims to integrate and leverage off-the-shelf technology with a particular focus on devices designed for videogame consoles. These devices, thanks to a user-friendly interface and a smooth learning curve can play a central role in minimising the interference in the senior's private life.

Keywords: ambient intelligence; AmI; context awareness; videogames; serious games; healthcare technology; long-term care; LTC; seniors; senior citizens; elderly people; intelligent gaming; home care; private life.

DOI: 10.1504/IJDH.2016.077345

International Journal of the Digital Human, 2016 Vol.1 No.2, pp.202 - 226

Received: 28 Jan 2013
Accepted: 03 Sep 2013

Published online: 29 Jun 2016 *

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