Remote Insight: Technology for Dementia at Home (IDA-DEM)

The project focuses on supporting people with dementia and their caregivers, enabling them to live safely at home for longer. Within a public-private partnership, researchers from UMCG, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, and Maastricht University are collaborating with two companies (Let Things Talk BV, Alzheimer.App BV), caregivers, and people with dementia to develop a privacy-friendly system for daily routine monitoring, supported by an advisory app. Co-creation is central, ensuring the technology is practical, understandable, and safe to use. 

In the Netherlands, about three-quarters of older adults with dementia live at home, of whom 40% live alone. Caregivers often provide intensive support, while daily assistance is lacking, leading to stress and overburdening. Disrupted day-night rhythms are common and can result in poor sleep, accelerated cognitive decline, and increased risks such as nighttime wandering, reducing quality of life. Innovative technology can detect behavioral changes early, enabling preventive interventions that help avoid crises and postpone nursing home admission. This can also save millions of euros in care costs. 

The project develops radar sensors and algorithms that detect daily patterns and present them visually. The advisory app provides caregivers with personalized actionable guidance, allowing them to act with confidence. Iterative co-creation ensures that end users have direct input into design and functionality. 

Expected results include a working prototype of the radar system, an improved advisory app, visual reports of behavior patterns, and concrete actionable guidance. These deliverables support caregivers, promote independent living, enhance quality of life, reduce care burden, and contribute to a more sustainable and efficient healthcare system.