Voices that automatically advise that it is time to get up, gas stoves that are automatically turned off upon detecting smoke, and faucets that close by themselves when not in use are just some of the technological innovations recently designed for people with dementia. This disease which mainly affects older people is characterized by a strong decrease in self-esteem, making them vulnerable to situations that are dangerous to safety. These technological developments have already been implemented in two households in England where dementia patients live.

With the aim of creating a “smart home,” researchers from the University of Bath (England) in collaboration with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in the UK showcase their monumental progress at an exhibit entitled “Pioneers ’09″ in London.

One of the most usual manifestations of dementia is losing track of night and day. To this, the group of researchers has designed a bed in which various sensors are installed to activate the light when the individual stands in the middle of the night. Also at that moment, a voice automatically reports that it is not yet time to get up.

Another mechanism designed to equip the “smart home” is a faucet that detects movement so that the water stops when the patient forgot to close the tap. According to its creators, this mechanism is especially useful because when the patient returns to the bathroom and finds the faucet closed, his self-esteem is not undermined.

The technological innovators also have a kitchen with a gas that turns off automatically when smoke is detected. A kitchen light turns off as a warning and a message is automatically sent to the mobile phone of a relative who is in another part of the house. The value of the equipment and installation exceeds 15,000 euros, although its creators could lower the price after the prototype stage.

The exhibition “Pioneers ’09″ also introduces other new technologies in the health field such as sensors that are placed on the wrist, elbow and chest to monitor the movements of patients. These are to help supervise the rehabilitation exercises of patients at home with the help of a single computer and software developed by Philips.

Another apparatus is offered to patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s that gives a series of messages reminding them of what to do during the day, thereby helping them not to be too dependent on their family members.

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Via AlphaGalileo/EPSRC