Guiding Light for the Mobility Support of Seniors
This paper shows how we develop and implement an intelligent light wayguidance system, which will attenuate age-related mobility impairments caused by reduced spatio-temporal orientation, worry about getting lost, and fear of falling. Guiding light consis
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Abstract This paper shows how we develop and implement an intelligent light wayguidance system, which will attenuate age-related mobility impairments caused by reduced spatio-temporal orientation, worry about getting lost, and fear of falling. Guiding light consists of up to date lighting technologies, innovative intelligent control algorithms, smart mobility monitoring systems, and a distributed information system for mobility parameters of older persons. Together with end-users and all stakeholders these components can be combined with interpersonal care services. We will present work in progress of an ongoing project within AAL Joint Programme (AAL-2011-4-033).
1 Introduction Light is used to meet visual needs of human, e.g. highlighting risks of falling [1], is applied for temporal orientation throughout the day, e.g. emphasizing day-night rhythm [2], for spatial navigation during activities of daily living, e.g. illumination of defined location areas [3] and is used as remembering as well as information signal, e.g. light spots and light signals [4]. Light, therefore, has great potential for attenuation of age-related mobility impairments caused by reduced spatiotemporal orientation, worry about getting lost, and fear of falling. This paper shows a new solution for Ambient Assisted Living, called Guiding Light, that pursues the following objectives. Temporal orientation. Human time experience involves several aspects: simultaneity and successiveness, movement time, duration experience, and circadian rhythm. Orientation disorders of elderly often include difficulty in G. Kempter (&) W. Ritter A. Künz University of Applied Sciences Vorarlberg, Dornbirn, Austria e-mail: [email protected]
R. Wichert and H. Klausing (eds.), Ambient Assisted Living, Advanced Technologies and Societal Change, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-37988-8_3, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014
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temporal orientation. They may have problems with rough estimation of the time that had lapsed since last activity and with correct chronological classification of time of day, weekdays, and seasons. Especially, circadian rhythm, an endogenously driven roughly 24-hour cycle in humans, is affected by age [5]. Although circadian rhythms are endogenous they are adjusted to the environment by external cues, the primary one of which is light. Older people’s light exposure might be insufficient for maintaining optimal circadian rhythm regulation [6]. With Guiding Light we help older people to enhance their temporal orientation by different lightbased timing generators, e.g. periodically lighting fluctuations such as circadianbased light treatments [7]. Spatial orientation. Elderly people could have difficulty with spatial orientation and with questions like, where am I situated at the moment and how can I find a certain location [8]. Spatial orientation is a complex cognitive skill that enables wayfinding and is necessary for everyday functioning in the environment. Elderly people with orientation disorders may show spatial
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