Memhans: An Assistive Device for Dementia Patients

Sait, U and Ravishankar, VD and Kumar, T and Shivakumar, S and Gokul Lal, KV and Bhalla, K and Singh, M and Bhaumik, R (2019) Memhans: An Assistive Device for Dementia Patients. In: 2019 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC), 17-20 Oct. 2019, Seattle, WA, USA, USA.

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Abstract

Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia with symptoms including loss of memory, difficulty in thinking ability, issues with problem-solving and usage of language. About 1.2 million people provide specialised care for dementia patients throughout the world, but the number of trained dementia caretakers are low in India. Traditionally, the focus of medical research has been to find a plausible cure for dementia, while solutions to ease the lives of dementia patients, their caretakers, and their families are often neglected. This paper aims to design and develop a bio-engineering based assistive device- Memhans for patients suffering from the mild and moderate stage of dementia through the help of a case study, intensive design methodologies and prototyping skills. The prototype is an RFID based module integrating a GPS chip (for location tracking) with Bluetooth and a smartwatch app which has the function of relaxing the patient with music. It also provides notifications to the patient, their family, and their caretaker via respective smartphone apps and provides for a contextual understanding by 'object and person identification'. This device provides the patient with assistance in daily activities, safety, person and object identification, and most importantly helps them live a dignified life. It also gives a sense of security and eases the minds of the caretaker and the patient's family. This device is cost-effective and is developed for a large number of impoverished patients who reside in developing countries like India. © 2019 IEEE.

Item Type:	Conference Paper
Publication:	2019 IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, GHTC 2019
Publisher:	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Additional Information:	cited By 0; Conference of 9th Annual IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, GHTC 2019 ; Conference Date: 17 October 2019 Through 20 October 2019; Conference Code:158424
Keywords:	Accident prevention; Cost effectiveness; Developing countries; mHealth; Radio frequency identification (RFID); Safety engineering; Wearable computers, Contextual understanding; Dementia; Dementia patients; Design Methodology; Memhans; Object identification; Person identification; Sense of security, Neurodegenerative diseases
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Centre for Product Design & Manufacturing
Date Deposited:	06 Oct 2020 10:16
Last Modified:	06 Oct 2020 10:16
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/65137

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