Auracle: An AI-Enabled Telecare System to Support the Independence and Safety of Individuals with AD/ADRD and Other Dementias

摘要 痴呆症的发病率在世界所有地区都在以惊人的速度增长，而且与人口老龄化有关。 据估计，超过3000万人患有痴呆症，每年新增460万例痴呆症患者 -每7秒就有一例新病例。受影响的人数将每20年翻一番，到2010年达到8110万人 2040年。大多数痴呆症患者生活在发展中国家(2001年为60%，到2040年上升到71%)。疾病的流行 痴呆症从70-75岁人群中的约2-3%迅速增加到85岁或以上人群中的20-25% 更多。阿尔茨海默病(AD)是西方国家中最常见的痴呆症类型，相当于大约 60%的病例，而血管性痴呆(VAD)是第二位的，约占所有病例的20%。约10%的65岁以上成年人 出现轻度认知障碍(MCI)。MCI虽然没有其他形式的痴呆症那么严重，但确实对日常生活产生影响 还活着，是阿尔茨海默氏症的先兆。 痴呆症护理可能比任何其他类型的护理都会给身体上、心理上、 向痴呆症老年人提供非正式护理的400万人的社会、经济福祉。家庭 照顾，伴随着情绪压力，是老年人死亡率的独立危险因素。这个 大多数患有痴呆症的老年人的家庭护理都是由妻子或女儿承担的。居家照看可能 对心理社会和生理反应都有负面的急性影响，特别是对女儿。作为功能性的 损害增加，在AD/ADRD过程中，照顾者需要更多的援助和获得资源来 妥善处理症状，从而避免老年人被送进精神病院。更大的支持也可以减少 压力对照顾者的不利影响。 可支持照顾者监测老年痴呆症患者的活动、安全和福祉的技术 家庭护理环境可以显著提高老年人及其家庭成员的生活质量，并减少 给他们和医疗保健提供系统带来的成本。不幸的是，目前过时的系统用处有限。我们 提出一种技术先进、但易于使用的低成本远程医疗系统，名为Auracle.Auracle将利用一种独特的 将分析从创新物联网模块网状网络收集的数据的AI算法组合 在被监视的老人的家里。这个高度自治的系统结合了即插即用、紧凑 外形尺寸，带语音接口。Auracle将致力于改善人们的安全、生活质量和福祉 与AD/ADRD或其他老年痴呆症患者合作，并为照顾者提供急需的支持。

ABSTRACT Dementia rates are growing at an alarming rate in all regions of the world and are related to population aging. It is estimated that over 30 million people have dementia, with 4.6 million new cases of dementia every year - one new case every 7 seconds. The number of people affected will double every 20 years to 81.1 million by 2040. Most people with dementia live in developing countries (60% in 2001, rising to 71% by 2040). The prevalence of dementia rapidly increases from about 2-3% among those aged 70–75 years to 20–25% among those aged 85 years or more. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia among western countries, corresponding to about 60% of cases while vascular dementia (VaD) is the second, with about 20% of all cases. Around 10% of adults over 65 develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI, while less severe than other forms of dementia, does impact everyday living and is a precursor of Alzheimer's. Dementia caregiving, perhaps more than any other type, places tremendous burdens on the physical, psychological, social, and financial wellbeing of the 4 million people providing informal care to seniors with dementia. Family caregiving, accompanied by emotional strain, was an independent risk factor for mortality among older adults. The majority of family care for older adults with dementia is carried out by either wives or daughters. Home caregiving may have negative acute effects on both psychosocial and physiological responses, especially in daughters. As functional impairment increases, during the course of AD/ADRD, caregivers require more assistance and access to resources to properly manage symptoms and, thereby, avoid an elder’s institutionalization. Greater support can also reduce the detrimental impact of stress on the caregiver. Technology that can support caregivers in monitoring the activity, safety and wellbeing of seniors with dementia in the homecare setting can significantly increase the quality of life for seniors and their family members as well as reduce costs to them and the healthcare delivery system. Unfortunately, current, outdated systems are of limited utility. We propose a technically advanced, but easy to use, low cost telecare system called Auracle. Auracle will utilize a unique combination of AI algorithms that will analyze data collected from a mesh network of innovative IoT modules placed throughout the home of the elder being monitored. This highly autonomous system combines a plug and play, compact form-factor with a voice interface. Auracle will be designed to improve the safety, quality of life and wellbeing of people with AD/ADRD or other dementias of aging and provide badly needed support to caregivers who provide their care.