Collecting Information on Everyday Behaviors with Instrumented Artifacts
Summary
Our technology aims to collect information about everyday behavior by instrumenting the artifacts that people interact with in their daily routine. One of our inventions is a pillbox, which looks like a regular pillbox on one side but has sensors, batteries, and hardware on the other side. We are collecting two kinds of information to help us understand and assess cognitive decline in elders and seniors. We are interested in doing it in a way that doesn’t impact how they perform their daily activities.
Table of Contents
- How does the technology work?
- What kind of information can we collect with this technology?
- How can we use the collected information to assess cognitive decline?
- Why is it important to measure the quality of performance of daily activities?
- What kind of sensors are present in the pillbox?
Introduction
Cognitive decline is a prevalent issue among elders and seniors. The changes in the performance of daily activities occur much earlier than one makes a mistake. Our technology aims to collect information about everyday behavior by instrumenting the artifacts that people interact with in their daily routine. We are interested in collecting two kinds of information to help us understand and assess cognitive decline in elders and seniors.
Q&A:
How does the technology work?
Our technology involves instrumenting everyday artifacts, like a pillbox, with sensors, batteries, and hardware. We have taken three instrumental activities of daily living that we could sense relatively easily and ones that provided some concrete value to our users. This technology is designed to capture information about the quality of performance exhibited by an individual in performing daily activities.
What kind of information can we collect with this technology?
We are interested in collecting two kinds of information from the instrumental activities of daily living. Firstly, we can collect information about whether an individual has taken their medicine or not. Secondly, we are interested in collecting information about the quality and performance of that individual in performing the specific activity. For example, we can collect information on whether the individual has taken their medication at the correct time or day of the week.
How can we use the collected information to assess cognitive decline?
By collecting information about the quality of performance exhibited by an individual in performing daily activities, we can assess cognitive decline. For instance, if an individual is having difficulty remembering what day of the week it is, this could indicate early cognitive decline. By analyzing the patterns of behavior, we can identify any fluctuations or changes in their level of cognitive functioning. This information can help us in assessing the level of cognitive decline.
Why is it important to measure the quality of performance of daily activities?
Measuring the quality of performance of daily activities can help in assessing cognitive decline in elders and seniors. Generally, cognitive decline occurs long before one makes a mistake. While someone may be successful in taking their medicin, the quality of their performance in performing the activity may be deteriorating. This information can be indicative of early cognitive decline, and healthcare providers can intervene earlier to help the individual.
What kind of sensors are present in the pillbox?
The pillbox has several sensors embedded in them. The sensors can detect when the door has been opened and closed, an accelerometer to detect when it has been turned over, and sensors that relay information when an individual is having physical difficulties with the pillbox. All these sensors work cohesively to provide us with valuable insights on the daily activities of an individual.
Conclusion
The technology of instrumenting everyday artifacts like a pillbox with sensors, batteries, and hardware seems to be promising in collecting information about cognitive decline in elders and seniors. Our technology aims to assess cognitive decline by collecting information about the quality of performance exhibited by an individual in performing daily activities. By analyzing this information, healthcare providers can intervene earlier to help individuals with cognitive decline.
