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Livestream – Wearables & dementia: research challenges and opportunities
May 15 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Hosted by Adam Smith, this livestream event welcomes two leaders at the intersection of technology and dementia care:
Dr Zeke Steer, Co-founder & CEO of Milbotix, Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Health & Clinical Research, University of the West of England. From defence engineering to dementia care, Zeke’s journey focuses on innovative solutions to manage distress and agitation in dementia through wearables, robotics, and AI. Discover the story behind Milbotix’s groundbreaking SmartSocks, including insights from early trials and upcoming launches.
Sarah Daniels, Consultant Allied Health Professional and Health & Social Care Lead at the UK Dementia Research Institute’s Care Research and Technology Centre. Sarah brings extensive experience as an occupational therapist and clinical researcher, specialising in digital measures, smart home technologies, and the integration of wearable tech in daily dementia care. She will highlight the innovative UK Minder Project, its implementation of wearable tech (like SmartSocks), and discuss the practicalities, challenges, and immense opportunities in wearable and AI-driven healthcare.
Discussion Highlights:
- UK Minder Project: Introducing Minder and Minder Care, their wearable technologies, and ongoing research experiences.
- Wearables in Dementia Care: Practical considerations including charging, user compliance, data privacy, safety, and device integration challenges.
- Technology in Healthcare: Enhancing decision-making, continuity of care, and timely interventions through technology-enabled care.
- SmartSocks: How innovative wearable tech supports care through comfort, actionable data insights, and real-time monitoring.
Don’t miss this insightful conversation exploring how wearable technologies and smart analytics can reshape dementia care—making it safer, smarter, and more compassionate.
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Do the socks have grippers on the bottom to prevent falls?
Also, with NHS cutbacks, who would you advise healthcare staff members liaise with to financial support this research?
I’m baffled by the use of socks as almost universally older adults I see with dementia and cognitive impairment have lower limb difficulties e.g. oedema/swelling, leg dressings, lack of circulation stockings. I can see this working in people without physical difficulties (younger people with reduced cognition perhaps?). Its also true that people with dementia are usually frail and unable to physically put socks on/off, did you develop this because they physically can’t take the socks off and the care home staff are enforcing wearing? In which case how will this work in the community where socks are often not worn due to difficulties. Maybe good to integrate them in the “hospital” issued socks with grip on that people often wear after discharge home? Could it be integrated into other clothing, vests were mentioned and sound much more sensible?