Ultra wideband assessment of locomotion in elderly

Approximately 30 psychiatric syndromes including dementia and geriatric depression have disordered movement as a diagnostic sign. Moreover, changes in locomotor patterns result from pharmacological and behavioral interventions. Using ultra-wideband technology we are developing a system for real-time monitoring of the direction, duration and acceleration of movements by multiple residents in nursing home and assisted living environments. The long term goal is to provide a system that simultaneously addresses security, clinical interventions and a platform for a variety of research applications. This paper reports progress on studies of feasibility of the technology and early results from the application in an assisted living facility.