01. Introduction
The Home4Dem project aimed to address the challenge of dementia care by developing an innovative ICT platform. This solution supports people with dementia to live independently at home and maintain an active social life, thereby improving their quality of life and that of their caregivers. The project involved large-scale deployment and real-life testing to enhance the technological literacy and acceptance among users.
02. Summary of the project aims and objectives
The main goal of the Home4Dem project was to develop a comprehensive platform that uses ICT to support independent living for people with dementia. The platform combines safety monitoring with real-time data collection to track physical activity and well-being, ultimately reducing caregiver burden. The project focused on creating a user-friendly interface for both formal and informal carers.
03.Product development and key features
Main Product: DomoCare The DomoCare system integrates digital applications with physical devices to monitor the well-being of dementia patients. The system features:
- Motion detection sensors: Detects falls and monitors activity levels.
- Data presentation interfaces: Separate interfaces for formal carers (medical professionals) and informal carers (family members), tailored to their specific needs.
- Emergency alerts: Triggers automatic alarms during emergencies, offering rapid response.
- Health monitoring: Tracks changes in behaviour that might indicate disease progression.
04. Partners
The Home4Dem project involved 9 partners from multiple countries
- National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing (IRCCS-INRCA) (End-user, Italy) [Coordinator]
- Arielab S.r.l. (R&D, Switzerland)
- University of Lund (R&D, Sweden)
- Eichenberger Szenografie (SME, Switzerland)
- DomoSafety (SME, Switzerland)
- Trelleborg Kommunen (End-user, Sweden)
- Karde AS (SME, Norway)
- Automa S.r.l. (SME, Italy)
05.Impact on participating in an AAL project
Key takeaways
- The AAL project enabled DomoSafety to collaborate with experts in dementia care, gaining insights that shaped the product.
- Collaboration with end-user organisations helped tailor the solution to real-world needs, especially for niche markets like dementia care.
- Enhanced visibility through academic publications increased credibility.
06. Main learnings from developing a solution through an AAL project
Organisational impacts
- Gained knowledge on tailoring ICT solutions for dementia care.
- Realised the need for separate user interfaces for formal and informal carers.
- Identified the importance of user testing in improving product design.
07. Impact on networking and collaboration
Building partnerships
- Established lasting partnerships with academic and healthcare institutions, including the University of Lund and iHomeLab.
- Continued collaboration with end-user organisations beyond the project’s scope, broadening the application of the DomoCare platform.
08. Perceived benefits of participating in AAL Support Actions
- Although DomoSafety did not participate in AAL2Business or other support actions, the AAL project itself facilitated essential networking and product validation.
09. How AAL supported development and market adoption
User involvement
- User testing during the project revealed the need for adaptable interfaces, leading to the development of separate apps for caregivers and families.
- Funding from AAL enabled testing in diverse environments, enhancing the product’s usability and relevance.
10. Challenges encountered
- Market readiness: Difficulty in achieving technology maturity by project’s end.
- Partnership dependencies: Relying on partners for key components led to some challenges.
- User acceptance: Encouraging caregivers to adopt ICT solutions remained a challenge, despite training and support.
11. Actions needed to launch the product
- Expand the commercial footprint beyond Switzerland, focusing next on France.
- Develop partnerships with healthcare providers to enhance product uptake.
12. Next steps
Target end-users
- Older adults with dementia and related neurological conditions.
- Caregivers (both formal and informal) seeking reliable home monitoring solutions.
Commercial Strategy
- Launch in Switzerland, followed by targeted expansion to France and Italy.
- Explore new product lines leveraging the DomoHealth platform.