{"id":476,"date":"2018-09-25T09:03:04","date_gmt":"2018-09-25T09:03:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/horizon.peachpuff-wolverine-566518.hostingersite.com\/?p=476"},"modified":"2018-09-25T09:03:04","modified_gmt":"2018-09-25T09:03:04","slug":"memory-jogging-robot-to-keep-people-sharp-in-smart-retirement-homes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/horizon\/476\/memory-jogging-robot-to-keep-people-sharp-in-smart-retirement-homes\/","title":{"rendered":"Memory-jogging robot to keep people sharp in \u2018smart\u2019 retirement homes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A robot that reminds older people where they have put things and helps them exercise has been used by residents in three retirement homes in a trial to combat cognitive decline in later age.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Almost a fifth<\/a>\u00a0of the European population are over 65 years old, but while quality of life for this age bracket is better than ever before, many will at some point suffer from a decline in their mental abilities.<\/p>\n

Without adequate care, cognitive abilities can decline quicker, yet with the right support people can live longer, healthier and more independent lives. Researchers working on a project called\u00a0ENRICHME have attempted to address this by developing a robotic assistant to help improve mental acuity.<\/p>\n

\u2018One of the big problems of mild cognitive impairment is temporary memory loss,\u2019 said Dr Nicola Bellotto from the School of Computer Science at the University of Lincoln in the UK and one of the principal investigators of ENRICHME.<\/p>\n

\u2018The goal of the project was to assist and monitor people with cognitive impairments and offer basic interactions to help a person maintain their cognitive abilities for longer.\u2019<\/p>\n

The robot moves around a home providing reminders about medication as well as offering regular physical and mental exercises \u2013 it can even keep tabs on items that are easily misplaced.<\/p>\n

A trial was conducted with the robot in three retirement homes in England, Greece and Poland. At each location the robot helped one or more residents, and was linked to sensors placed throughout the building to track the movements and activities of those taking part.<\/p>\n

\u2018All this information was used by the robot,\u2019 said Dr Bellotto. \u2018If a person was in the bedroom or kitchen the robot could rely on the sensors to know where the person is.\u2019<\/p>\n