Android tablet game development for dementia patient

• Main Author: Tay, Yu Tong
• Other Authors: Chan Syin
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Computer science and engineering::Software::Software engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/61933
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

With this rapid growth of population, there would be a tremendous increasing number of people suffering with mental disabilities like dementia. The need for long-term care for people with dementia is necessary as it is one of the key reasons of disability and assistance among the elderly globally. Caregivers often need to assist their patient with activities in daily living. Therefore, it is important to have various care supporting services for those elderly suffering with dementia. Research has shown that technology devices such as iPads and tablet can help to stimulate those with dementia. With these innovative devices, which are simple and easy to use, not only help to promote functional independence among the elderly, but also provide stimulation to improve cognitive functioning of the older adults suffering from dementia related diseases. The objective of this project is to enhance and maintain the existing Android based system – Esperanza. The Android tablet game development was proposed to cater to the needs of the increasing population of elderly suffering from dementia. This application consists of 5 game categories mainly memory, speed, attention, flexibility and problem solving. It will be used to analyse the patient’s condition by the score of the games. The purpose of the application is to promote a better quality of life by developing suitable games that would help in stimulation of cognition and memory of the elderly. It utilises the advances in technology to create such games for caregiver to capture their patient’s attention, allowing them to keep their brain active to slow down the onset of dementia symptoms. With such applications developed, it can also help to lighten the burden of the caregiver working at the day care centres, as well as the family members of the patient.