UK DRI Centre for Care Research & Technology

Over 980,000 people in the UK have dementia, and around 60% are living at home. Research indicates that the majority of people living with dementia would prefer to remain living at home for as long as possible, with good quality of life. However, the memory and thinking problems associated with dementia have an impact on daily living, making it difficult for people to maintain independence at home. More than a quarter of NHS hospital beds are occupied by people living with dementia. Around 20% of these admissions are due to causes such as falls or infections, which could be prevented if treatment is administered early enough.

The UK DRI Centre for Care Research & Technology, launched in 2019, is developing smart technology to support at-home care and allow people to remain at home for longer, by identifying problems earlier. By harnessing artificial intelligence, the team have developed a unique, passive monitoring system that enables personalised care and support for people living with dementia. The technology, including low cost devices like sleep mats and activity sensors, is implemented into the homes of people with dementia via Minder – the UK DRI’s flagship digital care platform. Following a successful pilot phase, the platform is now being readied for integration into the NHS.