For the next ten minutes, Ill be speaking

about the use of technology in senior care,

specifically dementia care.
First to start, well go over a brief overview of
dementia.
60-80% of dementia cases are Alzheimers
Disease. This is when plaques (beta-amyloid
deposits) and tangles (twisted tau fibers)
build up in and between the nerve cells,
attacking those necessary for memory. Fluid
builds up and the hippocampus shrinks which
affects the memory. 90% of what we know
has been discovered in the last 15 years.
(Plaques disrupt cell to cell signaling &
tangles affect transport chains)
Vascular dementia is 10% of dementia cases.
This impairs judgment and is caused by blood
vessel blockage. This is commonly a post-
stroke problem but can vary between cases
due to location, number, and size of brain
injury.
Parkinsons disease is when alpha-synuclein
clumps are found in the substantia nigra
which is instrumental in motor skills and
degrade dopamine producing cells which
regulate movement and emotion.
Huntingtons disease is caused by a single
defective gene on chromosome 4 that
produces the protein huntingtin. It can cause
involuntary movement, mood changes and a
decline in reasoning.
Typically, patients with dementia are treated
with psychotropic drugs to decrease irritability
and other mood changes.
Psychotropic drugs are any drugs that are
capable of altering the mind. These include
anxiolytic, antidepressant, anti-psychotic
medications. Over 50% of community
dwelling seniors receive medication within
two weeks of admission and those over 70 are
3.5x more likely to be admitted to a hospital
due to side effects. These side effects include
hypotension (low blood pressure), akinesia
(motor impairment), dystonia (involuntary
cramping and twisting of muscles), sedation,
and psychomotor impairment (that affects
gait and speech).
Due to these side effects, senior care facilities
are beginning to find healthier solutions. One
approach is technology. Technology isnt
necessarily the newest thing in senior care.
For motor aid, there are wheelchairs and even
spoons to counteract the dyskinesia of
Parkinsons. For sensory aid, there are glasses
and hearing aids.
With monitor and response devices, medical
professionals can monitor heart rates, gait,
and sleep patterns. Something that a few of
you have is a fitbit which does these things.
Theres also devices like Life Alert that are
more under the response category, allowing
for an easy call to medical services. There are
also video cameras that give a live feed to
worried family members to guarantee that
they know whats going on.
Social communication is also an important of
senior care, believe it or not. A lot of those in
senior care facilities typically have family
members that are distant and therefore are
unable to have the desired contact that they
may want. Thats why software like instant
messaging, email, and online forums
contribute to their mental health.
A newer technology has been developed by a
company in Denver and its called Its Never 2
Late, the inspiration for my project title. At the
senior care facility that Im mentoring at, they
use this program to help care for the
residents. With over 300 applications, theres
a possibility for customization that everyone
will enjoy.
At Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake
Bay, theyve used videos of laughing babies
to help calm down the residents in the
morning to aid in the nurses morning duties.
And when you get to be around 80 years old,
a fall can be detrimental. Now, she has her
own iN2L monitor to play puzzles and since
they engage her, she no longer feels the need
to stand up and in turn helps her health.
These consoles have other forms of
entertainment that help the dementia
patients feel more at home since many of
them believe that they are 20 years and
believe that they are in the 1950s. These
include old time shows and an older era of
music.
Even more ground-breaking, social robots are
beginning to make the scene. Even though
most are designed for those with autism, they
can still be applied for the elderly, making
them feel more at a home and in a better
mood. Two examples of humanoid robots are
NAO and Buddy.
Many are still in development and only able to
bought as a beta with limited supply. These
typically cost under a grand which could allow
each resident to have a robot of their own if
needed because currently the iN2L system
can cost about 3 grand which is a pricey
option for these care facilities.
But I didnt come here to simply talk about
the base of my senior project. There is a great
opportunity for you to help improve your
community called Cyber Seniors.
At Westminster-Canterbury, theyre working
on teaching dementia patients how to use
computers. This is a low commitment
opportunity since they will work on your
schedule even if you can only give an hour
every two weeks or youre willing to give 7
hours a week.
If you would like to volunteer, I can pass on
your email to the one in charge and theyll
contact you in a few days, letting you know
how you can help.
Thank you. Any questions?