Development of AI-Powered Robot System to Assist Alzheimer’s Caregivers: A Collaboration by UTHSC and UT Knoxville

University of Tennessee Health Science Center Professors Awarded Grant for AI-Powered Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Project

Professors Jennifer Martindale-Adams, EdD, and Linda Nichols, PhD, from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, along with a team led by Xiaopeng Zhao, PhD, from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, have been awarded a $401,090 grant from the National Institute on Aging for the development of the RISE project, “Robot-based Information and Support to Enhance Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health.”

The RISE project aims to create an AI-powered system using a humanoid social robot to assist caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementia by providing evidence-based caregiver training information. Dr. Martindale-Adams and Dr. Nichols, co-directors of the UTHSC Caregiver Center, are excited about the potential of this project to provide personalized support to caregivers in need.

The system will utilize tools from the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregivers Health (REACH) programs to offer information on managing behavioral concerns, caregiver stress, and coping. Dr. Nichols highlighted the importance of providing caregivers with the support they need, as clinicians often do not have the time to work with caregivers during appointments.

With the grant funding, the project aims to offer innovative solutions to the challenges faced by caregivers, with the possibility of the system being available in clinicians’ offices, community centers, and other locations where caregivers may require assistance. Dr. Martindale-Adams emphasized the individualized nature of the system, which will use a risk assessment to recommend specific modules based on the caregiver’s responses.

The project team includes faculty members from various departments at UT Knoxville, showcasing a collaborative effort to address the needs of caregivers in the community. The project has also received support from the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee.

Overall, the RISE project represents a significant step forward in providing support to caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementia, offering a personalized and caregiver-driven approach to information and assistance.

Source: University of Tennessee Health Science Center