Ouderen helpen om veilig ouder te worden

Different options for projects are possible for Echocare, including the freedom to develop their own project. Multipe students are working on the projects. 

Options are:  

- Fall prevention - preliminary literature research to determine what constitutes a clear sign for a person being at high risk for an acute fall. Followed by checking whether EchoCare can be used to detect this and alert in advance of the risk; by this preventing fall/s, in a simulation setting with healthy individuals. In 2023 research was conducted by Fontys student, Matthew Sweetnam, which found a direct correlation between a decrease of a person’s speed of walk and an increase in the person’s risk of fall, and EchoCare monitors a person speed of walk and alerts on decrease. It would be useful if further research will be done into what specific decrease in speed of walk is relevant and what increase in risk of fall can be expected.  

- Dementia- preliminary literature research to determine what constitutes a clear sign for early dementia. Followed by checking whether EchoCare can be used to detect these early signs and alert on them in advance; and by this ensuring an early diagnosis (by a doctor). 

- Staff shortage – working with nursing home staff or home-care staff to evaluate what tasks can the EchoCare device perform instead of them (morning check, night round, etc.) and how much time it saves, freeing the staff for other tasks. 

- Wellness – this can be either theoretical research or in practice. Reviewing the Wellness Reports that EchoCare provides (Sleep Quality, Fall Risk, Activity Level and Time Alone) check which one offers most value for the caregivers about personalized care that they can provide to a person, increasing his/hers quality of life and longevity.