Agnes - User-Sensitive Home-based Systems for Successful Ageing in a Networked Society

The objective is to provide a user-sensitive ICT-based home environment that supports a personalized and person-centric care process by detecting, communicating, and meaningfully responding to relevant states, situations, and activities of the elderly person with regard to mild cognitive impairment. Central to the proposed idea is the combination and integration of home-based ICT and social networks, connecting the elderly person living at home with their families, friends and carers, on various levels. The project will provide the technological means to exploit the power of social networks and the beneficial effect of social inclusion and activities on cognitive and mental processes. Detecting subjective states and activities of the elderly and communicating them to caring persons also allows for a much better-tailored and timely response, attention and care, at the same time reducing feelings of loneliness and insecurity. The aim is to prevent, delay and help manage chronic conditions such as mild cognitive impairment and dementia (and potentially pathological social isolation), by gentle, consistent social and cognitive stimulation and timely response to detected states, situations or activities, so as to improve and maintain the well-being and independence of the elderly living in their own homes and reduce healthcare costs.