Integrated ICT System for the Implementation of Rehabilitation Therapy for Alzheimer’s Patients and for the Improvement of Quality and Efficiency in Managing Their Health: The Rehab-Dem Project

Abstract

Dementia, Alzheimer’s and neurodegenerative diseases in general are closely interconnected with advancing age. Neurodegenerative diseases cost approximately 130 billion € a year to European social-health and welfare systems. Currently existing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases are very limited, aimed mainly at treating symptoms rather than coping with causes and are quite expensive. Furthermore, no new Alzheimer’s drugs have been discovered or approved by the scientific community in the last five years. It is necessary to explore new paradigms of care and support for the increasing number of patients suffering from these diseases and their caregivers in the years to come. The Rehab-Dem Project has the main purpose of improving the health and psycho-physical well-being of people affected by neurodegenerative diseases by tackling the most important issues such people face.