Sovrinti Case Study

Day/Night Patterns & Safety Items

Detecting Nighttime Kitchen Activity

For older adults, nighttime activity, especially in the kitchen, can indicate cognitive or safety issues. Cooking at night increases the risk of injury or fire. Caregivers often don't know about these activities until something happens. Detecting nighttime kitchen activity early helps prevent accidents and supports the independence of older adults.

Background

The Sovrinti system uses advanced technology to monitor and identify activities in the homes of older adults. In a pilot program with a home care provider (2022-2023), the system was installed in clients' homes to evaluate its effectiveness and integration into caregiving. Here, we look at data from a woman living alone in a one-bedroom apartment, who receives 19 hours of professional caregiving per week.

Results:

  • Nearly 24% of this client's stovetop/oven usage happens at night when the caregiver isn't present.

  • The concentration of activity between 11:30pm and 5am shows frequent nighttime kitchen use, including opening the fridge, using the stove, and operating the microwave

  • The system found that one person was often in the kitchen at night, even when their caregiver wasn't there.

Possible Interventions

The Sovrinti system identified a consistent pattern of nighttime kitchen activity for an older adult woman receiving part-time caregiving. Spikes in kitchen activities could prompt a caregiver to check in with the client about sleep issues, restlessness, appetite changes, or confusion. This information helps caregivers address potential health and safety concerns, supporting the client's ability to live independently.

For Further Analysis

Additional data on ambient light, hot water usage, appliance wattage, and real-time location can provide more insights into nighttime kitchen activity. Further analysis might explore whether the client is cooking or just accessing food and how other activities like watching TV, using the bathroom, or turning on lights relate to kitchen activity.

Figure 1: Shows kitchen activity from 1/25/23 to 4/24/23. Each ring represents one day on a 24-hour clock, with inner rings showing earlier dates. The density of points between 11:30pm and 5am indicates frequent nighttime kitchen use, including opening the fridge, using the stove, and operating the microwave.

Figure 2: Focuses on stovetop and oven use. Nearly 24% of this client's stovetop/oven usage happens at night when the caregiver isn't present, with each session averaging 12.7 minutes.

Figure 3: Groups kitchen activities by hour of the day on a weekly basis. Notably, there was an increase in kitchen activity around 2am during the week of April 5, 2023.