WACO, Texas, Dec. 3, 2020 – Birkeland Current announces the Phase II of its research study to understand and analyze behavioral trends and cognitive changes in older persons through passive monitoring of daily activities using smart technology. The company has received funding and support from the NIH’s National Institute on Aging and is collaborating with the Texas A&M Center for Population Health and Aging, Baylor Scott & White Health, and Georgia Tech.
The study marks a significant event for aging research, especially as older persons, their families, and caregivers face stress and isolation from COVID-19. By utilizing smart sensors in the home, Birkeland Current can compare the effectiveness of continuous machine learning to assess behavior change over time. In comparison, traditional assessments are typically administered every six months to a year. This smart home solution provides valuable longitudinal data that will advance age-related research and care planning.
Birkeland Current is actively recruiting 140 seniors and their caregivers for this 18-month study. Persons must be at least 65 years old with mild to mid-level cognitive changes and receive a minimum of 6 hours a week of care. Care may be provided by a family member, volunteer, or paid helper. The study monitors the person’s activity as they go about their daily routines without any intrusion—no sound or video are collected. The collected data is verified with brief monthly phone interviews with the caregiver. The data collected is de-identified for privacy. Participating seniors and caregivers are each paid a total of $1,350 during the study.
If you or someone you know is interested in participating or learning more about this study, please call (254) 742-6030 or go online to www.birkelandcurrent.com/nia-study. You can help bring about the next generation of healthcare at home. Additional goals of the study include demonstration of improved quality of care, associated cost savings, and reduced hospitalizations while increasing patient and family insights into changing care needs.
About Birkeland Current
Birkeland Current is a small, wireless sensing technology R&D company with the express purpose of launching disruptive products and business models. All ventures share a novel combination of sensors, edge computing. innovative data analytics and customer insight. Birkeland Current's latest project, a smart home sensing system for home-based health care, was awarded a 2-year, $3.9 million NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Fast Track grant to demonstrate the effectiveness of machine learning to assess daily function of persons with cognitive decline. The company is located in Waco, Texas in the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative (BRIC).
Contact:
Sarah Fitch
Birkeland Current
254-742-6034
sarah.fitch@birkelandcurrent.com