A Mobile Augmented Reality Game to Encourage Hydration in the Elderly

Dehydration among the elderly is associated with numerous negative health outcomes that result in increase hospitalization, institutionalization, and burden to caregivers. Older adults with dementia are physically capable of fluid intake, but fail to drink due to multiple cognitive deficits, including poor initiation, decreased motivation, and amnesia. We are interested in looking at the use of mobile smartphone technologies to help ensure adequate hydration in older adults with cognitive impairment or dementia. Our approach uses everyday consumer smartphones paired with appropriately designed augmented reality (AR) game that will remind, motivate, guide, and track hydration in older adults with dementia. Our hypothesis is that our system will not only improve hydration, but also that the improvements in hydration will result in improved cognition and mood in community-dwelling older adults with cognitive impairment. This paper describes the design of a feasibility study for an electronic reminder application for older adults.