Supervision system of an experimental apartment for evaluating risk and improving safety of persons in loss of autonomy
Résumé
The Functional Rehabilitation and Reeducation Centre (CRRF) in Noth in the department of Creuse in France is seeking permanent home automation solutions that help patients to safely have more autonomy in everyday life. An experimental apartment consisting of a bedroom, a bathroom and a kitchen was equipped with communicating devices and remote controls. The aim is to validate the possibility of returning home a patient who have stayed at the medical centre and have motor and cognitive disabilities. A Konnex EIB/KNX bus is used to interface all the sensors and actuators. In the bedroom, an environment controller allows to control objects often inaccessible to the patient because of his disability. Ambient and reading light, shutters, heating, nurse call and television are actuated by conventional switches which have been increased and relayed by the controller. Different functions of the bed can be remotely controlled such as the folding legs, the inclination of the headrest and the height of the bed. A contrast of the switches has been adapted for better visibility. Easily understandable pictograms have been added for an intuitive use. The bedroom door is managed through push up buttons that can be switched with the elbow for a person in a wheelchair. In the bathroom, occupancy sensors have been installed to adjust lighting for better use of toilets facilities. Counting of water associated with flood detection prevents and detects potential overflow of sanitary and bath. In the kitchen, the height of work plans and mobile furniture is adjustable by hand or knee to facilitate access for people with motor disabilities, with safety contacts in case of obstacles. Scenarios have been defined with ergo therapists to prevent the patient against electrical, gas and water dangers in the apartment. These scenarios are managed by a controller that determines the type and degree of danger: the high level (gas, iron, fire risk) and the low level for events that do not require immediate action (oven, electric hob, gas hob, coffee maker and microwave oven). The supervision software used enables the complete management of all alarms and commands transiting through the communication bus via a MODBUS TCP interface. Doctors and therapists will be able to follow the daily activities in the apartment to assess the ability of residents to return home. The system also targets the requirements of housing adjustment aimed at dependent persons returning to their homes.