Intelligent Virtual Companion System for Independent Living

As people age, physical and mental abilities begin to degenerate. This often leads to disabilities. Many family members may not always be able to help the elderly, and home medical care can be discouragingly expensive. Currently, there are existing agencies that provide companionship services for the elderly by sending hired staff to the homes of elderly people who choose to live independently. The main goal of independent living facilities is to maximize the independence and productivity of individuals with disabilities, and their integration and inclusiveness into mainstream society. A component of independent living is an elderly companionship service. In this research, an Intelligent Virtual Companion System for Independent Living (IVCSIL) is designed to add a social companionship aspect to smart home systems. This artificial intelligent system will initiate casual conversation, provide cues for performing daily living tasks, monitoring a subject’s health, and perform secretarial tasks which will enhance autonomy.