Client: AAL

Project Duration: 9 months

Objective:

The SenseGarden Home project's primary objective is to adapt and test a simplified version of the successful AAL-funded SENSE-GARDEN project. This adaptation focuses on creating a portable, plug-and-play system designed for the home market. The aim is to bring the therapeutic benefits of the SENSE-GARDEN experience, which assists persons with dementia and their families, into a more accessible and compact format. This project will explore the business potential of such a product and its impact on the quality of life for seniors, particularly those with dementia.

Scope of Work:

1. Concept Development:

   - Adapted the SENSE-GARDEN concept for home use, maintaining its core therapeutic principles.

   - Designed a compact system that can be transported and easily installed in homes or dementia daycare centers.

2. Technology Integration:

   - Utilized cross-platform technologies to ensure wide compatibility and accessibility.

   - Integrated IoT devices and multi-sensory devices to create a cohesive, immersive experience.

3. User Engagement and Data Collection:

   - Developed the ALMA (Art of Life Memory Album) questionnaire to personalize the experience for each user.

   - Implemented a feedback system using a simple smiley chart to assess user satisfaction and session effectiveness.

4. Product Testing and Validation:

   - Conducted trials to test the feasibility, usability, and impact of the SENSE-GARDEN Home system.

   - Evaluated the system's effectiveness in improving the quality of life for people with dementia.

5. Market Analysis and Business Potential Evaluation:

   - Assessed the market potential for a portable and simplified version of the SENSE-GARDEN.

   - Analyzed customer feedback to refine the product and develop a market strategy.

Outcomes & Benefits:

- Enhanced Quality of Life: Provided dementia patients with a sense of connection and improved their overall well-being through multi-sensory stimulation.

- Increased Accessibility: Made the therapeutic benefits of SENSE-GARDEN available in a more accessible, home-based format.

- User-Centric Design: Customized experiences based on individual memories and preferences, fostering a deeper connection for users.

- Market Innovation: Pioneered a new approach in dementia care, combining technology and sensory therapy in a home setting.

- Sustainable Health Services: Contributed to public health by offering an innovative solution for at-home dementia care.

Team Composition:

- Project Manager

- Software Developers (Cross-platform and IoT integration)

- Product Designers

- Health Care Specialists (with a focus on dementia care)

- Market Analysts

Business Impact and Value Realization:

Empowering Independence:

The SENSE-GARDEN Home project aims to extend the time seniors can live independently, promoting autonomy and reducing reliance on traditional care facilities.

Social Connectivity:

By engaging users in personalized, memory-triggering experiences, the project helps keep them connected to their social and personal histories, combatting isolation.

Disease Prevention:

Through sensory stimulation and cognitive engagement, the SENSE-GARDEN Home system supports disease prevention and mental health in the elderly.

Public Health Improvement:

The project contributes to public health by providing an innovative, sustainable solution for dementia care, potentially reducing the burden on healthcare services.

In summary, the SENSE-GARDEN Home project represents a significant step forward in dementia care, leveraging technology to enhance the lives of seniors and their families, and potentially revolutionizing home-based health care solutions.

This work was supported by a grant of the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization, CNCS/CCCDI –

UEFISCDI and of the AAL Programme, with co-funding from the European Union`s Horizon 2020

research and innovation programme, project number 231/2021, within PNCDI III