Addressing Mild Cognitive Impairment and Boosting Wellness for the Elderly through Personalized Remote Monitoring

Abstract

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may occur with old age and is associated with increased cognitive deterioration compared to what is normal. This may affect the person’s quality of life, health, and independence. In this ageing worldwide context, early diagnosis and personalized assistance for MCI therefore become crucial. This paper makes two important contributions: (1) a system (RO-SmartAgeing) to address MCI, which was developed for Romania; and (2) a set of criteria for evaluating its impact on remote health monitoring. The system aims to provide customized non-invasive remote monitoring, health assessment, and assistance for the elderly within a smart environment set up in their homes. Moreover, it includes multivariate AI-based predictive models that can detect the onset of MCI and its development towards dementia. It was built iteratively, following literature reviews and consultations with health specialists, and it is currently being tested in a simulated home environment. While its main strength is the potential to detect MCI early and follow its evolution, RO-SmartAgeing also supports elderly people in living independently, and it is safe, comfortable, low cost, and privacy protected. Moreover, it can be used by healthcare institutions to continuously monitor a patient’s vital signs, position, and activities, and to deliver reminders and alarms.