Cognitive agent based intelligent warning system to monitor patients suffering from dementia using ambient assisted living

Dementia causes a progressive degradation of mental abilities leading the patient to forget and have problems thinking and reasoning. As the disease is progressive it is possible for patients in the early or intermediate stages to manage within their own home; however as the disease becomes more serious and the patient more susceptible to forgetfulness or confusion the health and safety risk within the home increases. This paper outlines a system targeted at monitoring patients in an unobtrusive way to minimize risk exposure within the home and alert a patient when a risk is present or a local authority when a risk is ignored. We proposed the use of Multi-agent systems for ambient assisted living and at present there is no system that combines the information obtained from a range of sensors to provide an ambient assisted living system focused on risk analysis and reduction for dementia patients.

1. Introduction

Ambient assisted living or AAL for short is a relatively new and expanding area of research focusing on the provision of in-home care that is un-obtrusive for patients requiring support with daily activities. AAL makes use of the latest technology and sensors available to provide reliable information. This information is targeted at improving the level of care which the patient receives and enabling them to live within their own home with minimum safety risk.