Assistive Device for elderly with Alzheimer's

Introduction

Alzheimer’s patients often forget where they place essential items and may wander outside unattended, causing stress for families. I began with user research—interviewing caregivers and analyzing real scenarios to identify three major needs:

Locate everyday items instantly
Safety tracking when the patient leaves home
Caregiver reminders & alerts
This user-centric approach shaped the product requirements and guided all design decisions.

Concept Development & System Architecture

translated the user problems into a functional product architecture. The device integrates RFID tags, GPS module, and a controller circuit to create a seamless assistive ecosystem.

RFID tags help locate misplaced objects
GPS continuously tracks movement
The controller processes data and triggers alerts
This system-level thinking ensured that usability, hardware, and safety were aligned.

Product Design & Ergonomics

designed a lightweight, wearable device comfortable for long use. Placement, weight, strap design, and surface feel were tested for elderly ergonomics. The form factor was kept non-intimidating, resembling a familiar accessory rather than a medical gadget—reducing stigma and encouraging daily usage.

Technology Integration & Prototyping

prove feasibility, I built the working prototype using:

RFID sensors for object detection
GPS for live location
Microcontroller for data processing and alert triggers
Caregiver alerts were enabled through a notification system. The system was tested for indoor and outdoor ranges, latency, and power consumption.

Prototype Testing & Validation

To validate usability, the prototype was tested with simulated real-life scenarios:

Misplacing commonly used items
Wandering outside expected range
Caregiver receiving remote alerts
Feedback confirmed that locating objects through RFID tags reduced dependency, while GPS tracking improved peace of mind for families.

Role & Responsibilities

Identified user needs through research on Alzheimer’s patient behavior and caregiver challenges.
Designed system architecture integrating RFID, GPS, and a controller unit.
Created ergonomic wearable product concept and form factor.
Built functional hardware prototype and tested real-time tracking.