Assessing Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Environment Digitally through a People with Alzheimer’s’ Disease Perspective: A Computation-Based Approach Framework

Abstract

People with Alzheimer’s disease (PWAD) are impacted by their surroundings, and their performance improves in therapeutic environments designed to meet their specific individual needs, are adjustable in terms of their health status, and are created to accommodate their abilities. A literature review of the field revealed scarce knowledge in using a combination of building information modeling (BIM) and the Internet of Things (IoT) for the purpose of understanding the daily needs and self-orientation ability of PWAD, as well as the architectural barriers they face in their rooms in long-term healthcare centers. In this context, this paper proposes a framework based on computational design approaches to assess the existing therapeutic environment for PWAD using BIM–IoT sensors-based monitoring. The proposed framework used the user experience design concept (UX) and the design thinking framework to evaluate the resident rooms of PWAD. The UX design concept and the design thinking framework core allow for the adoption of user-centered methods to provide a comprehensive image of the issues that affect PWAD in their therapeutic environment. The proposed framework-structured approach will enable healthcare architects/designers to (1) digitalize old building architecture plans using BIM; (2) strategize IoT sensor selection; (3) recognize the activities performed by PWAD and detect any anomaly; and (4) integrate IoT real-time data into the BIM system. The proposed framework supports three types of professionals: (1) architects in decision-making processes, (2) researchers in collecting/analyzing accurate data for shadow observations, and (3) neurologists in following up the health statuses of PWAD.