Adoption of proprietary home and community automation technologies in support of ageing-in-place

About the Project

This PhD study will investigate the adoption of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) automation technologies used in the home or in the community by people affected by dementia. Technology has the potential to impact significantly on the health and wellbeing of people affected by dementia not least in reducing social isolation and opening opportunities for engaging in life, learning and leisure.

The use of COTS automation technologies may reduce the stigma attached to technology specifically designed for use by people living with dementia as they will feel it is part of normal life rather than drawing attention to their condition. Potential areas of investigation are:

• Automation and assistance of everyday tasks.
• Cognitive support to address confusion and assist in memory recall, thinking and planning.
• Adapting the environment to account for behavioural and mood changes.
• The use of automation to support physical activity and/or health and well-being

A project in this area will incur some additional costs that will be met by the student, for fieldwork and consultation with experts by experience. The exact costs will depend on the specific project and will be discussed both at interview and kept under review throughout the duration of the project.

Supervisory team

Director of Studies:

Dr Chris Bowers, Digital Innovation and Intelligent Systems Research Group, University of Worcester

Supervisors:

Dr Mary O’Malley, Senior Research Fellow, School of Health and Wellbeing, Association for Dementia Studies

External Supervisor TBA

Research Centre/Group:

Association for Dementia Studies and Digital Innovation and Intelligent Systems Research Group