Cross-Talk Project - 01_04_2024AUC.pptx

SMART HOMES FOR ELDERLY

1. Smart Homes for the Elderly: Enhancing Quality of Life and Independence

2. In this presentation, we will delve into the concept of smart homes for the elderly, exploring the features, benefits, and considerations associated with this innovative approach. We will examine how smart home technology can address the unique challenges faced by elderly individuals, ultimately enhancing their quality of life and allowing them to age with dignity and independence.

3. Outline: Concept of Smart Homes - Background Information Problem Definition - Identifying The Key Challenges Faced By The Elderly Target User Group Solutions to fit their Needs How Architectures Could Tackle These Challenges. How Computer Engineers Could Tackle These Challenges. How Construction Engineers Could Tackle These Challenges. How Mechanical Engineers Could Tackle These Challenges.

4. Smart Home VS Retirement Homes

5. Why are smart homes better for addressing the elderly’s needs? Enhanced Safety and Security Health Monitoring and Management Increased Independence and Autonomy Customization and Adaptability Cost-Effectiveness Over Time Environmental Control Emergency Response

6. Smart Homes: A smart home refers to a convenient home setup where appliances and devices can be automatically controlled remotely from anywhere with an internet connection using a mobile or other networked device. Door locks, televisions, home monitors, cameras, lights, and even appliances such as the refrigerator can be controlled through one home automation system. Some home automation systems alert the homeowner if any motion is detected in the home when they’re away, while others can call the authorities—police or the fire department—in case of such situations.

7. Background Aging population necessitates addressing unique challenges for elderly individuals. Smart homes tailored for the elderly integrate advanced technologies. These technologies improve safety, promote health and well-being, and support independence. Growing recognition of smart home technology's potential to support aging individuals. Emphasis on enabling elderly individuals to age in place within familiar surroundings. Societal acknowledgment of the importance of community support for aging in place.

8. Why is this the most suitable way to care for the elderly in Egypt? The current status of the aging population in Egypt Will this solution be accepted by the community? How will this solution address the needs of the elderly in Egypt?

9. Egypt’s Increasing Aging Population Source: Opeyemi, Odejimi., George, Tadros., Noha, Sabry. (2020). Prevalence of Mental Disorders, Cognitive Impairment, and Dementia Among Older Adults in Egypt: Protocol for a Systematic Review.. JMIR Research Protocols, 9(7) doi: 10.2196/14637 The number of the elderly in Egypt hit 6.9 million in 2022, according to the Cabinet’s Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC). Egypt is going through a demographic transition as t he number of persons aged 60+ is expected to more than double between 2020 - 2050 from 8.4 million (8% of the total population) to 22 million (14%). Disability rates increase with age as 12% of women and 9% of men aged 60 and over have limited functional ability compared with 3% of the population aged 5 and older. In Egypt, Boggatz and Dassen (2005) cite figures that indicate a slight overcapacity of the existing institutions which stands in contrast to the estimated need of care in this country.

10. Living Arrangements of Egypt’s Aging Population: Source: Tayser, Fahmei., R, Tanda., Zelalem, T., Haile., A, Ruhil., Meredith, Gartin., Ice, Gh. (2020). Changes in living arrangements of older persons in Egypt 2000-2014. doi: 10.21608/EJNHS.2020.80269 The proportion of older persons living alone in Egypt has increased in many governorates from 2000 to 2014. For example, in 2000, the highest rate of living alone was in New Valley, with 11% of households containing older persons living alone. By 2014, Alexandria had the highest rate of households with only older persons, accounting for 19% of all households. The Red Sea governorate had the lowest rate of elder-only households in 2000, while Souhag, South Sinai, Behera, and Fayoum had about 3% of their households containing elders living alone. However, all of these governorates experienced a tripling of the proportion of elder-only households by 2014. [1]

11. Culture Viewpoint of Retirement Homes: Source: https://raseef22.net/english/article/1094228 “Traditionally, residence in senior care homes in the Arab world, especially in Egypt, is often seen as a source of shame and a scandal for families who fail to care for their elderly relatives or those whose health conditions make them unable to take care of themselves on their own. “ Source: Boggatz, Thomas & Farid, Tamer & Mohammedin, Ahmed & Dassen, Theo. (2009). Attitudes of Egyptian nursing home residents towards staying in a nursing home: a qualitative study. International journal of older people nursing. 4. 242-253. 10.1111/j.1748-3743.2009.00188.x. “ most Egyptian older people rejected the idea of moving into residential or nursing care homes , even those who could afford to move into”

12. Elders Opinion about Retirement Homes: The findings of Boggatz et al. (2009) who investigated in a qualitative study the attitudes of older Egyptians towards receiving care at home. According to this study, older persons from low income groups tend to reject both home care services and nursing homes due to financial limitations and their traditional perception that receiving care from non-family members would be shameful. Persons with sufficient income could be divided into two groups: those who left the decision about care to their families and those who decided independently. For the first group care at home may become an acceptable solution as it allows staying in a familiar environment and means a lower burden for family members to provide the necessary care. For the second group home care was a chance to receive the required assistance to maintain independence . Nursing homes, however, were an option which was rejected by nearly all members of both groups.

13. The Needs of Older Adults Associated with Daily Activities Source: Briede-Westermeyer, J. C., Radici Fraga, P. G., Schilling-Norman, M. J., & Pérez-Villalobos, C. (2023). Identifying the Needs of Older Adults Associated with Daily Activities: A Qualitative Study. International journal of environmental research and public health , 20 (5), 4257. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054257 Source: Opeyemi, Odejimi., George, Tadros., Noha, Sabry. (2020). Prevalence of Mental Disorders, Cognitive Impairment, and Dementia Among Older Adults in Egypt : Protocol for a Systematic Review.. JMIR Research Protocols, 9(7) doi: 10.2196/14637 Disability rates increase with age as 12% of women and 9% of men aged 60 and over have limited functional ability compared with 3% of the population aged 5 and older.

14. Identifying The Challenges Faced by the Elderly

15. Challenges Faced by the Elderly: - Physical Limitations And Decreased Mobility - Cognitive Decline And Memory Loss - Social Isolation And Loneliness - Safety Concerns And Risks Of Accidents At Home

16. Main Needs: Regular monitoring of vital signs to detect early signs of health issues. Also, Safety concerns and risks of accidents at home https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/aging/art-20046070 Access to social support networks , community activities, and peer groups to prevent social isolation and promote mental well-being. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/social-engagement Home modifications for accessibility, such as ramps, stairlifts, wider doorways, and adjustable-height fixtures. https://www.cdc.gov/aging/mobility/index.html Cognitive stimulation activitie s, memory aids, and brain fitness programs to support cognitive health and memory retention.

17. Architectures’ Contribution

18. 1. Assessment of Needs: Begin by conducting a thorough assessment of the elderly person's needs and preferences. Identify areas where smart home solutions can improve safety, convenience, and overall quality of life. 2. Accessible Design: Incorporate accessible design principles to ensure that smart home features are easily usable by elderly individuals. This includes considerations such as wheelchair accessibility, lever-style door handles, non-slip flooring, and well-lit spaces, or Design wider doorways and corridors to accommodate mobility aids.. 3. Home Automation: Integrate home automation systems to control lighting, temperature, security, and entertainment systems through voice commands or mobile devices. This allows elderly residents to manage their environment easily. Incorporate video conferencing systems for virtual communication with family and friends. 4. Safety and Security: Install smart sensors and alarms for detecting smoke, carbon monoxide, or water leaks. Smart doorbells with video cameras and intercoms can enhance security and communication with visitors. Clear Signage and Visual Cues: Use clear signage, color contrasts, and visual cues throughout the home to aid navigation and facilitate recognition of important spaces and objects. 6. Fall Prevention: Install grab bars, removable ramps, handrails, and motion-activated lighting in areas prone to falls, such as bathrooms and staircases. Smart flooring with sensors can also detect falls and send alerts. Architectural Solution

19. Computer Engineers’ Contribution

20. Technological Solution Physical Limitations and Decreased Mobility: Using robotics to enhance mobility Remote Access: Build software systems that allow the elders to any task they need remotely. Example: Allowing elderly to use a phone or tablet to control thermostat, television, lighting, security systems, and other systems around the home gives seniors additional independence. Smart Home assistants: voice-activated digital assistants that can do menial tasks like play music, make phone calls, look up information, and read books. Cognitive Decline and Memory Loss: Medication Reminders Digital games and puzzle to stimulate the brain AI Nurse: AI systems that monitors the person, guide them and give them instructions when needed.

21. Social Isolation and Loneliness: Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): These technologies can offer immersive experiences that transport the elderly to virtual environments or enable them to relive past memories, attend virtual social gatherings, or visit distant places without leaving their homes. Communication Technologies: Tools like smartphones, tablets, and computers can facilitate video calls, social media engagement, and messaging services, enabling the elderly to stay connected with family, friends, and communities, regardless of distance. Safety Concerns and Risks of Accidents at Home: Smart Locks, Doorbells, and Security Systems Smart Home Technology: Install smart home technology such as motion sensors, video surveillance, and emergency response systems to monitor for potential hazards and provide assistance in case of emergencies. Health Monitoring: Implement health monitoring systems such as wearable devices or smart sensors that can track vital signs, medication schedules, and activity levels. These systems can alert caregivers or medical professionals in case of emergencies.

22. Construction Engineers’ Contribution

23. Physical Limitations And Decreased Mobility: Construction engineers play a crucial role in designing and implementing features such as ramps, wider doorways, and handrails that improve accessibility for elderly individuals with physical limitations. They integrate smart technologies like motion-activated lighting, automated door openers, and adjustable countertops to accommodate varying mobility levels.

24. Cognitive Decline and Memory Loss: They design easy-to-use interfaces for smart devices, making it simpler for those with memory issues to operate them. Construction engineers can install smart sensors and monitoring systems that detect potential hazards or deviations from daily routines, alerting caregivers or family members to intervene.

25. Safety Concerns and Risks of Accidents at Home: Engineers focus on implementing safety features such as non-slip flooring, grab bars, and fall detection systems to mitigate the risk of accidents. They integrate smart home technology for remote monitoring and control of home appliances and systems, allowing caregivers to ensure a safe environment from a distance.

26. Mechanical Engineers’ Contribution

27. Physical limitations and decreased mobility: Durability and Maintenance: Ensuring that all hardware components are durable and require minimal maintenance, which is crucial for the elderly, who may have limited ability to perform regular upkeep. Assistive Robotics: Development of robotic systems that can assist with daily tasks, such as personal care, household chores, and medication management, reducing the physical strain on the elderly. Mobility Aids: 3.1. Navigation Assistance: Creating advanced assistive devices such as mobility scooters, smart walkers or wheelchairs to help the elderly navigate the home environment autonomously as well as installing stairlifts and platform lifts to facilitate vertical mobility within the home .

28. Mobility Aids Continued.. 3.2. Exoskeletons: Designing limb exoskeletons to support movement and enhance muscle strength, enhancing mobility and acting as a way of rehabilitation that encourages physical activity and maintain muscle strength and flexibility. 3.3. Adjustable Furniture: Designing motorized furniture that adjusts height and orientation to accommodate mobility limitations.

29. II. Cognitive Decline and Memory Loss: Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs): Developing non-invasive BCIs to assist with cognitive functions and daily activities. Navigation Aids: Developing indoor positioning systems that guide individuals through their home, compensating for memory loss.

30. III. Social Isolation and Loneliness: Monitoring Systems: Utilizing sensors and IoT devices to monitor social activity and encourage interaction. Companion Robots: Engineering robotic companions that can interact and provide social stimulation, capable of recognizing speech and displaying emotions. Automated Pet Care Systems: using automatic feeders with timers as well as petting options to simplify pet care.

31. IV. Safety Concerns and Risks of Accidents at Home: Health Monitoring Systems: Developing wearable sensors and health monitoring devices to track vital signs and detect falls, ensuring timely medical assistance. Safety Mechanisms: Incorporating safety features such as automatic shut-offs for cookers and taps to prevent accidents and advanced locking mechanisms for security. Also, incorporating advanced sensors that can detect smoke, gas leaks, or extreme temperatures as well as electric surges or water failures to prevent potential disasters. Automated Lighting: Installing motion-activated lighting systems that illuminate paths to prevent trips and falls during low-light conditions.

32. Thank you!

33. Draft: Addressing Questions: Will the culture accept it? done Will the cost be suitable? Addressed, maybe add examples of possible prices for existing - homes adjustments What if they want to do things on their own? Adjustments based on personal preferences How to make them less isolated? done How can they adapt to the technologies implied in smart homes? Will they accept the use of technology in their daily lives? Make it simple and include proper guidance and incorporate physical controllers that suits the physical abilities of the person Can smart homes make the elderly feel more included, live with their families while not feeling that they are a burden? Done