Consortium seeks dementia device partner

A European consortium is looking for partners to commercialise a double device system aimed at enabling dementia patients to be more independent both in and outside their homes.

The COGKNOW project, which involves some of the leading dementia specialists, software researchers and developers from the Netherlands, Sweden and Northern Ireland, uses a flat-screen monitor and a mobile smart phone with a much simplified user interface installed.

The in-home system can be set-up to issue reminders to users throughout the day, such as a reminder to brush their teeth. These can be recorded in a caregiver’s voice.

It can also be linked to video presentations showing how equipment, such as an oven, is operated and as a telephone, with photos on the screen to help users picture-dial.

The mobile device comes with a GPS-based feature, which can guide users home if they become disorientated.

Johan Bengtsson, the project’s scientific coordinator, said: “Separate devices and solutions exist for many of the needs, and if people learn how to use them early on, then they may be able to continue using them quite far into the disease.”

The project has been piloted on user groups in three countries. According to the project leaders, the majority of participants said that there was a significant improvement in their lives and their ability to get through the day.

Users can buy the necessary hardware devices off the shelf and then install the COGKNOW Day Navigator software suite on them.

Bengtsson added: “About 2% of the population of Europe suffers from mild dementia and it costs an estimated €10,000 a year to provide care for each of them when they cannot cope anymore.

“Our devices will cost a lot less than that, and can be used again by other people when the first owner progresses too far into the disease. If COGKNOW only extends people’s ability to look after themselves for an extra few months, then the savings are still potentially billions of euros.”

The COGKNOW consortium is now looking for an established software provider to help with commercialisation and marketing of the product and companies specialising in reselling and providing solutions to the care and medical sectors.

Link: COGKNOW