Future-proofing dementia care

Imagine a world where your home remembers for you, your doormat whispers reminders, and your plants ask for water. Future-proofing dementia care isn't about fancy gadgets—it's about giving control back to those who need it most. Tech that adapts, not dictates

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Imagine struggling to remember where you placed your keys or forgetting important daily tasks. Now, imagine if your home could remind you, adapt to your needs, and evolve as your cognitive abilities change. That’s the vision of Dr. Alisha Pradhan, assistant professor of informatics at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), whose groundbreaking research explores how assistive technology can help people with mild dementia live independently.

Pradhan, alongside Dr. Emma Dixon from Clemson University, is leading a three-year, $600,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant project titled Future Proofing for Age-Related Changing Cognitive Abilities Using Smart Objects as Assistive Technologies. The project aims to develop customizable assistive tools that can adapt to an individual’s changing cognitive and physical needs.

Understanding the Need: Dementia Beyond Memory Loss

Dementia is often associated with memory decline, but it also affects sensory perception and physical abilities. A person might be able to read a 12-point font in the morning but need a larger font by evening. Some may struggle with voice recognition systems that are optimized for younger speech patterns, leading to frustration and errors. These challenges highlight the need for personalized and evolving solutions.

"People with dementia have an idea of how they want to prepare for their future," explains Pradhan. "They know what they need and how they can structure their environment to support their independence."

A Real-World Example: