FoodManager: a cooking, eating and appliance controlling support system for the elderly

  • Authors:

  • Rosa Iglesias;Ibai Ibarguren;Nuria Gómez de Segura;Julen Ugalde;Leticia Coello;Miren Iturburu

  • Affiliations:

  • Ikerlan-IK4, Mondragón, Gipuzkoa, Spain;Ikerlan-IK4, Mondragón, Gipuzkoa, Spain;Ikerlan-IK4, Mondragón, Gipuzkoa, Spain;FAGOR ELECTRODOMESTICOS, Mondragón, Gipuzkoa, Spain;Fundación Instituto Gerontológico, Matia-INGEMA, Donostia, Spain;Fundación Instituto Gerontológico, Matia-INGEMA, Donostia, Spain

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on PErvasive Technologies Related to Assistive Environments
  • Year:
  • 2010

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Abstract

These days, many support systems are being developed to improve independence and quality of life of elderly and impaired people at home. Most of them have been hitherto focused on providing home healthcare-related services, and little attention has been paid to cooking and eating activities. On the one hand, the role of supporting eating activities is likely to become increasingly important. Since old age is often associated with memory impairments, it would be useful to provide them with menus including a variety of healthier meals. Furthermore, it is of paramount importance that these suggested meals are built up based on disease pathologies, health condition and user preferences. On the other hand, comprehensive cooking guidelines and food and shopping list handling are also needed. With regard to cooking directions, it seems desirable that users do not need to manage complex household appliances like the oven. This can be achievable thanks to the technologies developed in the area of Home Automation. In this paper, a cooking support system, namely FoodManager, is discussed. This was designed and developed to deal with all the requirements described above. Its interface design and navigation was specially designed for the elderly. Testing performed with ten elderly people (ages from 58 to 81) provided some understanding about its usability and simplicity to use.