AI SmartSocks for People With Dementia and Autism
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Alaina
- . October 26, 2023
- . Update: October 26, 2023 11:39 am
There are AI-powered SmartSocks that can improve the quality of life for people suffering from dementia, autism spectrum disorders, or learning disabilities. It also detects early signs of stress.
The SmartSocks is ideal for use in care home and homes where primary caretakers are not always around. Milbotix, the company behind these AI smart socks, says their product can significantly boost quality of life and care.
The socks design is intended to increase acceptance and adherence for people who find wearables overly complex, uncomfortable, and stigmatizing.
Socks are Familiar
But why socks? Dr Zeke Steer, CEO at Milbotix and creator of SmartSocks, says socks are a familiar item of clothing. It’s more likely to be tolerated than a wrist-worn device. “We also know that the foot is one of the best locations on the human body for measuring stress due to the high density of sweat glands.”
Steer said he wanted to improve care after witnessing his great-grandmother’s struggle with dementia. He said she became increasingly aggressive and anxious over time. “The current product is the result of extensive research, consultation, and development.”
The expert highlighted that so far, the SmartSocks have been incredibly well-received in care settings. “I’m excited to see what impact our products can have in providing early alerts of agitation and falls, enabling care home staff to take early intervention, and support people to stay in their own homes for as long as possible.”
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Smart Socks Are Innovative
Milbotix said their product – the innovative SmartSocks can track heart rate, sweat levels, and motion. It gives an insight into the user’s wellbeing and provides accurate data into a person’s cognitive state and distress levels.
The AI-powered SmartSocks look and feels like ordinary socks, and washable as well; it doesn’t need to be charged. Steer explained that foot is actually a great place to collect data about stress, and socks. He said their research showed that socks can accurately recognize signs of stress.
Margot Whittaker, Director of Nursing and Compliance at Southern Healthcare group, said SmartSocks is an excellent way forward to help detect when a person is starting to feel anxious or fearful. The UK DRI Care Research & Technology Center at Imperial College London is piloting technology that monitors sleep, movement around at home and physiological measurements such as temperature and blood pressure.
Its working towards detecting problems early, reducing avoidable hospitalizations and ultimately empower people living with dementia to remain independent in their own homes for longer.
