An Informatics Platform for Objectively Quantifying Electric Power Wheelchair Usage for those with Alzheimer's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias, and Cognitive Impairments

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Project Summary/Abstract Proposed is an informatics platform for caregivers of wheelchair operators with or at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD), and cognitive impairments. Significance: Many older adults have chronic health conditions that limit mobility and, thus, wheelchair use is essential for maintaining independence. However, when an older wheelchair user exhibits signs of cognitive decline related to developing dementia, caregivers must make hard, subjective choices trading safety with independent mobility. Currently there is no system that can monitor and quantify subtly diminishing driving abilities. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that direct observation of a wheelchair user’s driving behavior can quantitatively distinguish between normal and impaired operation. Such a system could inform caregivers before an incident that intervention may be necessary and wheelchair use should be reviewed and possibly suspended. Conversely, it may allow many patients to continue wheelchair use by providing caregivers a consistent, in-community measure of a patient’s abilities reflecting their current cognitive state. Specific Aims: In Phase II, IDL and its collaborators will: (1) Develop a production-ready system, (2) Perform a monitoring study with powered wheelchair users (non-clinical trial), and (3) Evaluate system and algorithm performance quantifying driving habits and cognitive changes.