Study looks at potential of artificial intelligence to help those with memory loss

A Vancouver Island professor is trying to find a whole new way to help people experiencing memory loss.

University of Victoria associate professor DebraSheetsis seeking volunteers for her study whichexploreshow artificial intelligence software like Amazon's Alexa can help people with memory loss and dementia, as well as their family caregivers.

"I'm really excited by the possibilities for people with dementia," said Sheets.

"For someone with dementia, voice is a reallyeasy way to access things."

Sheets, who specializes in nursing, said the benefit of new voice technology is that it can simplify someone's everyday routine if they struggle with remembering specifics.

She used the example of someone calling their mother; rather than having to remember the phone number, a person can instead say "computer, call my mom" and the software will do the rest.

"It can add to quality of life if it's hooked up to a few of the right things," she said.

Sheets said Alexacan be used to alleviate some of the work load for caregiversbecause it can control so many different aspects of a home.

Can call for help

From setting reminders to take medication to asking what the weather is outside, Sheets said the software's applications are vast.

"The nice thing about Alexa is that she never gets tired of being asked what day it is," said Sheets, laughing.

The technology can also be used in safety situations, said Sheets. If someone fallsand isunable to getup, they could simply askAlexato call someone for help.

For the study, participants will have Alexaconnected to a host of devices around the home which will allow for voice control of things like the television, heat, lights and the phone.

The Ease-E-Home study, as it is called, focuses on people with mild to moderate memory loss and isopen to volunteers.

With files from All Points West

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