System for determining the risk of transition to a state requiring care

Abstract

To provide a system for determining the risk for transferring to a required nursing care state capable of suitably determining the risk for transferring a subject to the required nursing care state.SOLUTION: A system for determining the risk for transferring to a required nursing care state includes: a life information acquiring part 10 which is installed in a residence 2 of a subject and acquires the life information which is information on life of the subject; a state estimation part (control part 22) for estimating a state of the mind and body of the subject based on the life information acquired by the life information acquisition part 10; and a determination part (control part 22) for determining the risk for transferring the subject to the required nursing care state based on an estimation result of the state estimation part (control part 22).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technology of a system for determining the risk of transition to a state of needing care.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, technologies related to a system capable of acquiring information regarding the life of a care recipient and determining the risk of transition to a state of needing care for the recipient are known. For example, it is as described in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a system in which an activity meter is attached to an elderly person, and the health state of the elderly person is determined based on the data acquired by the activity meter.

[0004] However, in the system described in Patent Document 1 above, it is conceivable that attaching an activity meter to an elderly person may burden the elderly person, and data may be missing when the elderly person does not wear the activity meter.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the problem to be solved is to provide a system for determining the risk of transition to a state of needing care that can suitably determine the risk of transition to a state of needing care for a target person.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above. Next, means for solving this problem will be described.

[0008] That is, in claim 1, it includes a living information acquisition unit installed in the home of the target person and acquiring living information which is information related to the life of the target person, a state estimation unit estimating the physical and mental state of the target person based on the living information acquired by the living information acquisition unit, and a determination unit determining the transition risk to the care-required state of the target person based on the estimation result of the state estimation unit. Among the physical and mental states of the target person, the mental state includes the degree of life activity, and among the physical and mental states of the target person, the physical state includes the risk of falling. The state estimation unit estimates the daily activity level for each of a plurality of items indicating the daily activity level, and estimates the fall risk for each of a plurality of items indicating the fall risk. The determination unit The items For each, the estimation result of the daily activity level is compared with a reference value in the item, and the daily activity level is higher than the reference value and based on the number of the items determined as such, determines the level of the life activity of the target person, and based on the number of a plurality of The items For each, the estimation result of the fall risk is compared with the record within a predetermined period in the item, and the fall risk is higher than the record within the predetermined period determined as such indicating the risk of falling, determines the level of the risk of falling of the target person, and determines the transition risk to the care-required state of the target person based on the combination of the determination result of the level of the life activity and the determination result of the level of the risk of falling.

[0009] In claim 2, the living information acquisition unit can acquire at least information related to the use of electrical appliances provided in the home as the living information. The items indicating the degree of life activity include the frequency of going out of the target person. The state estimation unit estimates the frequency of going out based on the information related to the use of the electrical appliances. exist is.

[0010] In claim 3, the living information acquisition unit can acquire the weight change of the target person and information related to the diet of the target person as the living information. The items indicating the degree of life activity include the activity amount of the target person. The state estimation unit estimates the activity amount based on the weight change and the information related to the diet. exist is.

[0011] In claim 4, the living information acquisition unit can acquire the conversation time of the target person as the living information, the item indicating the living activity level includes the amount of communication of the target person, and the state estimation unit estimates the amount of communication based on the conversation time. exist That is.

[0012] In claim 5, the living information acquisition unit can acquire the walking sound of the target person as the living information, the item indicating the risk of falling includes the walking pattern of the target person, and the state estimation unit estimates the walking pattern based on the walking sound. exist That is.

[0013] In claim 6, the living information acquisition unit can acquire the moving time and moving distance of the target person within the home as the living information, the item indicating the risk of falling includes the walking speed of the target person, and the state estimation unit estimates the walking speed based on the moving time and the moving distance. exist That is.

[0014] In claim 7, The determination unit uses a graph divided into a plurality of regions by an axis indicating the level of the daily activity level and an axis indicating the level of the fall risk to show the determination result of the risk of transition to the care-required state of the subject. is such.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] As an effect of the present invention, the following effects are achieved.

[0017] In claim 1, it is possible to suitably determine the risk of transition to a state of needing care of the target person. In addition, based on the level of the daily activity level, it is possible to determine the risk of transition to the care-required state of the subject. Also, based on the level of the fall risk, it is possible to determine the risk of transition to the care-required state of the subject.

[0019] In claim 2 it is possible to determine the risk of transition to a state of needing care of the target person based on the estimation result of the target person's frequency of going out.

[0020] In claim 3 it is possible to determine the risk of transition to a state of needing care of the target person based on the estimation result of the target person's activity level.

[0021] Claim 4 In this case, it is possible to determine the risk of transition to the state of needing care for the subject person based on the estimation result of the communication volume of the subject person.

[0022] Claim 5 In this case, Determine the risk of transition to the care-required state of the subject based on the estimation result of the walking pattern of the subject it is possible.

[0023] Claim 6 In this case, Determine the risk of transition to the care-required state of the subject based on the estimation result of the walking speed of the subject it is possible.

[0024] Claim 7 In this case, Easily grasp the positioning of the determination result of the risk of transition to the care-required state of the subject it is possible.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] Hereinafter, a system 1 for determining the risk of transition to a state of needing care according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the home 2 of the subject person (care recipient) to which the system 1 for determining the risk of transition to a state of needing care is applied will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0027] The residential house 2 is the space where the subject lives. The residential house 2 is provided with an entrance door 3 for entering and leaving the residential house 2 and an interior door 4 for entering and leaving the space (such as a toilet, etc.) inside the residential house 2. Further, an electric appliance 5 that operates by electricity is installed in the residential house 2. Examples of the electric appliance 5 include lighting, a television, etc. In the present embodiment, an example in which the residential house 2 is a room in a nursing facility is shown.

[0028] The semi-care state transition risk determination system 1 shown in FIG. 1 estimates the physical and mental state of the subject based on information regarding the subject's life in the residential house 2 (hereinafter referred to as "life information"), and determines the transition risk to the subject's semi-care state based on this estimation result (see FIG. 7). Here, the transition risk to the semi-care state is the necessity (risk) of transitioning from the current life to a state of receiving further care services (raising the level of care). The transition risk to the semi-care state is determined from the mental aspect (such as cognitive function, etc.) and the physical aspect (such as the state of the legs and waist, etc.) of the subject. The semi-care state transition risk determination system 1 includes a life information acquisition unit 10 and a control device 20.

[0029] The life information acquisition unit 10 acquires the life information of the subject. The life information acquisition unit 10 is installed inside the residential house 2. That is, the life information acquisition unit 10 is not something to be carried or worn by the subject. The life information acquisition unit 10 includes a power sensor 11, an electronic lock 12, a weighing scale 13, a meal recording unit 14, a microphone 15, and an opening / closing sensor 16.

[0030] The power sensor 11 can acquire information regarding the use of the electric appliance 5. Specifically, the power sensor 11 can acquire the time zone (power usage time zone) during which power is being used due to the operation of the electric appliance 5. The power sensor 11 can acquire the time zone during which the electric appliance 5 (such as lighting, a television, etc.) used when the subject is at home in the residential house 2 is operating.

[0031] The electronic lock 12 can lock and unlock the front door 3. The electronic lock 12 operates by electricity. The electronic lock 12 can acquire information on the time when the front door 3 is locked or unlocked (front door opening / closing record).

[0032] The weighing scale 13 can measure the weight of the subject. The weighing scale 13 can acquire the weight change of the subject.

[0033] The meal recording unit 14 can acquire information on the meals of the subject (meal record). Information on meals includes, for example, the recipe history and records of the amount eaten by the subject. As the meal recording unit 14, for example, a configuration can be adopted in which information on meals is acquired by inputting information on meals through an appropriate input unit. As the meal recording unit 14, for example, a general personal computer, a terminal such as a tablet or a smartphone, etc. can be used.

[0034] The microphone 15 can acquire the sounds inside the residence 2. The microphone 15 can acquire the conversations of the subject and the footsteps of the subject. As the location where the microphone 15 is installed, an appropriate location inside the residence 2 can be adopted from the viewpoint of preferably acquiring the conversations and footsteps of the subject. For example, the microphone 15 may be installed on the power socket plate inside the residence 2. Also, the microphone 15 may be installed, for example, near the front door 3 or the interior door 4.

[0035] The opening / closing sensor 16 can acquire information on the opening and closing of the interior door 4. Specifically, the opening / closing sensor 16 can acquire information on the time when the interior door 4 is opened and closed.

[0036] The control device 20 can process various types of information. The control device 20 is communicably connected to the living information acquisition unit

[10] (power sensor 11, electronic lock 12, weighing scale 13, meal recording unit 14, microphone 15, and opening / closing sensor 16) for information. The control device 20 includes a storage unit 21, a control unit 22, an input unit 23, and a display unit 24.

[0037] The storage unit 21 stores various programs and the living information acquired by the living information acquisition unit 10. The storage unit 21 is composed of an HDD, a RAM, a ROM, etc. The storage unit 21 accumulates the information acquired by the power sensor 11, the electronic lock 12, the weighing scale 13, the meal recording unit 14, the microphone 15, and the opening / closing sensor 16 in the databases corresponding to each unit respectively.

[0038] The control unit 22 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 21. The control unit 22 is composed of a CPU. The control unit 22 causes the storage unit 21 to store the living information acquired by the living information acquisition unit 10.

[0039] The input unit 23 is for inputting various information. The input unit 23 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, etc.

[0040] The display unit 24 displays various information. The display unit 24 is composed of a liquid crystal display, etc.

[0041] Thus, as the control device 20, a general personal computer or the like can be used.

[0042] The semi-care state transition risk determination system 1 as described above can execute a process of determining the transition risk to the semi-care state of the target person based on the living information acquired by the living information acquisition unit 10. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the semi-care state transition risk determination system 1 can execute a living activity level determination process S10, a fall risk determination process S30, and a semi-care state transition risk determination process S40.

[0043] Hereinafter, the daily activity level determination process S10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4. The daily activity level determination process S10 is a process for determining the daily activity level of a target person based on the daily life information acquired by the daily life information acquisition unit 10 (power sensor 11, electronic lock 12, weighing scale 13, meal recording unit 14, and microphone 15) (see FIG. 2). Here, the daily activity level indicates the degree of goodness or badness in terms of mental state indicating how active the daily life of the target person is. In this embodiment, by determining the daily activity level as an example of the mental state of the target person, the state of the mental aspect (such as cognitive function) of the target person is estimated. The daily activity level is indicated by ranks from rank 1 to rank 4 in ascending order of the good mental state of the target person (for example, the cognitive function is not declining). The daily activity level determination process S10 is executed by the operation of an operator (such as a caregiver). The above operation can adopt, for example, an operation via the input unit 23.

[0044] In step S11, the control unit 22 estimates the frequency of going out of the target person based on the daily life information acquired by the power sensor 11 and the electronic lock 12, and determines whether the frequency of going out is high or not based on a predetermined reference value (benchmark) described later. Here, the frequency of going out is the degree of the number of times the target person goes out from home 2 within a predetermined period. In this embodiment, the above predetermined period is one week. Note that the above predetermined period is not limited to one week, and may be, for example, one day or one month, and any period can be adopted. If the frequency of going out is high, it can be estimated that the daily life of the target person is active. Also, if the frequency of going out is low, it can be estimated that the daily life of the caregiver is not active.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 22 can estimate that the subject has gone out based on the power usage time period (information indicating whether the electrical appliance 5 is operating or not) acquired by the power sensor 11 and the front door opening / closing record (information indicating that the front door 3 has been locked or unlocked) acquired by the electronic lock 12. For example, after the power sensor 11 acquires information that an electrical appliance 5 (such as lighting or a TV) used when the subject is at home is not operating, if the electronic lock 12 acquires information that the front door 3 has been locked at a predetermined timing (e.g., within a predetermined time), the control unit 22 can estimate that the subject has gone out. Note that the estimation by the control unit 22 that the subject has gone out as described above is an example, and various methods based on the living information acquired by the power sensor 11 and the electronic lock 12 can be adopted as the estimation by the control unit 22 that the subject has gone out.

[0046] In addition, when the control unit 22 acquires the walking sound of the subject acquired by the microphone 15 installed near the front door 3 in addition to the living information acquired by the power sensor 11 and the electronic lock 12, the control unit 22 can estimate that the subject has gone out. In this case, the control unit 22 can identify the walking sound of the subject (e.g., the walking sound of shuffling feet) from the walking sound acquired by the microphone 15 installed near the front door 3. According to this, even when there are other people (e.g., the subject's family members or caregivers) in the residence 2 besides the subject, it is possible to distinguish between the subject going out and other people going out.

[0047] Further, the control unit 22 determines whether the subject's going-out frequency is high based on whether the subject's going-out frequency is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference value (benchmark). As the above reference value, for example, the average value of the going-out frequencies of a plurality of residents in the facility where the residence 2 is located can be adopted. The plurality of residents may be all the residents in the facility, or may be specific residents extracted by narrowing down all the residents in the facility under arbitrary conditions. As the arbitrary conditions, age, gender, family composition, etc. can be adopted. Note that the above reference value is not limited to the average value of the going-out frequency, and may be the median value or the like. Also, a value obtained by appropriately correcting the above average value or median value may be used.

[0048] When the control unit 22 determines that the subject has a high frequency of going out, it proceeds to the process of step S12. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that the subject has a low frequency of going out, it proceeds to the process of step S20.

[0049] In step S12, the control unit 22 estimates the activity level of the subject based on the life information acquired by the weighing scale 13 and the meal recording unit 14, and determines whether the activity level is high or low. Here, the activity level is the degree of activity of the subject. In this embodiment, the predetermined period is one week. Note that the predetermined period is not limited to one week, and may be, for example, one day or one month, and any period can be adopted. If the activity level is high, it can be estimated that the subject's daily life is active. Also, if the activity level is low, it can be estimated that the caregiver's daily life is not active.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 22 can estimate the activity level of the subject based on the increase or decrease in weight estimated from the weight change acquired by the weighing scale 13 and the types of meals and calorie intake of the subject estimated from the meal record acquired by the meal recording unit 14. For example, when the weight of the subject increases, the control unit 22 estimates that the activity level is low relative to the calorie intake (or that the subject is overeating). Also, for example, when the weight of the subject decreases, the control unit 22 estimates that the activity level is high relative to the calorie intake (or that the subject is not consuming enough food). Note that the estimation of the amount of activity by the control unit 22 described above is an example, and various methods based on the life information acquired by the weighing scale 13 and the meal recording unit 14 can be adopted as the estimation of the amount of activity by the control unit 22.

[0051] When the control unit 22 determines that the activity level of the subject is high, it proceeds to the process of step S13. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that the activity level of the subject is low, it proceeds to the process of step S17.

[0052] In step S13, the control unit 22 estimates the communication volume of the target person based on the living information acquired by the microphone 15, and determines whether the communication volume is large or not based on a predetermined reference value (benchmark) described later. Here, the communication volume is the degree of the amount of communication of the target person within a predetermined period. In the present embodiment, the predetermined period is one week. Note that the predetermined period is not limited to one week, and may be, for example, one day or one month, and any period can be adopted. If the communication volume is large, it can be estimated that the daily life of the target person is active. If the communication volume is small, it can be estimated that the daily life of the caregiver is not active.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 22 can acquire the conversation time of the target person from the voice of the target person acquired by the microphone 15. The control unit 22 can extract the voice of the target person from the voice acquired by the microphone 15 based on the information for specifying the voice of the target person stored in the storage unit 21 in advance. The control unit 22 can estimate the conversation time of the target person as the amount (communication volume) of communication taken by the target person. Note that the estimation of the communication volume of the target person by the control unit 22 described above is an example, and various methods based on the living information acquired by the microphone 15 can be adopted as the estimation of the communication volume of the target person by the control unit 22.

[0054] Further, the control unit 22 determines whether the communication volume of the target person is large or small based on whether the communication volume of the target person is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value (benchmark). As the reference value, for example, the average value of the communication volumes (conversation times) of a plurality of residents in a facility where there is a home 2 can be adopted. The plurality of residents may be all the residents in the facility, or may be specific residents extracted by narrowing down all the residents in the facility under arbitrary conditions. As the arbitrary conditions, age, gender, family composition, etc. can be adopted. Note that the reference value is not limited to the average value of the communication volume, and may be a median value or the like. Also, a value obtained by appropriately correcting the average value or the median value may be used.

[0055] When the control unit 22 determines that the communication volume of the subject is large, it proceeds to the process of step S14. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that the communication volume of the subject is small, it proceeds to the process of step S16.

[0056] In step S14, the control unit 22 assigns rank 1 as the determination result of the life activity level. That is, when reaching the process of step S14, since the going-out frequency, activity volume, and communication volume are all high (large) (since the number of ○ indicating good in the above items is 3), rank 1, which is the highest determination result, is assigned. After executing the process of step S14, the control unit 22 proceeds to the process of step S15.

[0057] In step S15, the control unit 22 registers (stores) the determination result of the life activity level in the storage unit 21. The determination result of the life activity level is accumulated in an appropriate database. After executing the process of step S15, the control unit 22 ends the life activity level determination process S10.

[0058] In step S16, which is entered when it is determined in step S13 that the communication volume is small, the control unit 22 assigns rank 2 as the determination result of the life activity level. That is, when reaching the process of step S16, since the going-out frequency and activity volume are high (large) and the communication volume is small (since the number of ○ is 2), rank 2, which is the determination result next to rank 1, is assigned. After executing the process of step S16, the control unit 22 proceeds to the process of step S15.

[0059] In step S17, which is entered when it is determined in step S12 that the activity volume is small, the control unit 22 determines whether the communication volume of the subject is large or not. Note that the process of step S17 is the same as the process of step S13, so the description is omitted.

[0060] When the control unit 22 determines that the communication volume of the target person is large, it proceeds to the process of step S18. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that the communication volume of the target person is small, it proceeds to the process of step S19.

[0061] In step S18, the control unit 22 assigns rank 2 as the determination result of the living activity level. That is, when reaching the process of step S18, since the going-out frequency and communication volume are high (large) and the activity volume is small (since the number of ○ is 2), rank 2, which is the determination result second only to rank 1, is assigned. After executing the process of step S18, the control unit 22 proceeds to the process of step S15.

[0062] In step S19, the control unit 22 assigns rank 3 as the determination result of the living activity level. That is, when reaching the process of step S19, since the going-out frequency is high and the activity volume and communication volume are small (since the number of ○ is 1), rank 3, which is the determination result second only to rank 2, is assigned. After executing the process of step S19, the control unit 22 proceeds to the process of step S15.

[0063] In step S20, which is the step to proceed when it is determined in step S11 that the going-out frequency is low, the control unit 22 determines whether the activity volume of the target person is large or not. Note that the process of step S20 is the same as the process of step S12, so the explanation is omitted.

[0064] When the control unit 22 determines that the activity volume of the target person is large, it proceeds to the process of step S21. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that the activity volume of the target person is small, it proceeds to the process of step S24.

[0065] In step S21, the control unit 22 determines whether the communication volume of the target person is large or not. Note that the process of step S21 is the same as the process of step S13, so the explanation is omitted.

[0066] When the control unit 22 determines that the communication volume of the target person is large, it proceeds to the process of step S22. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that the communication volume of the target person is small, it proceeds to the process of step S23.

[0067] In step S22, the control unit 22 assigns rank 2 as the determination result of the life activity level. That is, when reaching the process of step S22, since the activity volume and communication volume are large and the going-out frequency is low (since the number of ○ is 2), rank 2, which is the determination result second highest after rank 1, is assigned. After executing the process of step S22, the control unit 22 proceeds to the process of step S15.

[0068] In step S23, the control unit 22 assigns rank 3 as the determination result of the life activity level. That is, when reaching the process of step S23, since the activity volume is large and the going-out frequency and communication volume are low (small) (since the number of ○ is 1), rank 3, which is the determination result second highest after rank 2, is assigned. After executing the process of step S23, the control unit 22 proceeds to the process of step S15.

[0069] In step S24, which is the step to proceed when it is determined in step S20 that the activity volume is small, the control unit 22 determines whether the communication volume of the target person is large. Note that the process of step S24 is the same as the process of step S13, so the description is omitted.

[0070] When the control unit 22 determines that the communication volume of the target person is large, it proceeds to the process of step S25. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that the communication volume of the target person is small, it proceeds to the process of step S26.

[0071] In step S25, the control unit 22 assigns rank 3 as the determination result of the life activity level. That is, when the process of step S25 is reached, since the communication amount is large and the going-out frequency and activity amount are low (small) (since the number of ○ is 1), rank 3, which is the determination result second highest after rank 2, is assigned. After executing the process of step S25, the control unit 22 proceeds to the process of step S15.

[0072] In step S26, the control unit 22 assigns rank 4 as the determination result of the life activity level. That is, when the process of step S26 is reached, since the going-out frequency, activity amount, and communication amount are all low (small) (since the number of ○ is 0), rank 4, which is the lowest determination result, is assigned. After executing the process of step S26, the control unit 22 proceeds to the process of step S15.

[0073] Hereinafter, the fall risk determination process S30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5. The fall risk determination process S30 is a process for determining the fall risk of the subject based on the life information acquired by the life information acquisition unit 10 (the microphone 15 and the open / close sensor 16). Here, the fall risk indicates the degree of the height of the risk of the subject falling. In the present embodiment, by determining the fall risk as an example of the state of the subject's body, the state of the physical aspect (such as the feet and waist) of the subject is estimated. The fall risk is indicated by ranks from rank 1 to rank 3 in the order of the better state of the feet and waist (lower risk of falling). The fall risk determination process S30 is executed by an operation of an operator (for example, a caregiver or the like). The above operation can employ, for example, an operation via the input unit 23.

[0074] In step S31, the control unit 22 estimates the walking pattern of the target person based on the living information acquired by the microphone 15, and determines whether the target person is walking with a shuffling gait. For example, the control unit 22 determines that the target person is "walking with a shuffling gait" if the proportion of the walking pattern records within a predetermined period in which the target person is walking with a shuffling gait is relatively high. In the present embodiment, the predetermined period is one week. Note that the predetermined period is not limited to one week, and may be, for example, one day or one month, and any period can be adopted. If the target person is walking with a shuffling gait, it can be estimated that the risk of falling is high because the target person is likely to trip over a step. On the other hand, if the target person is not walking with a shuffling gait, it can be estimated that the target person can overcome a certain level of step and the risk of falling is low.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 22 can estimate the walking pattern from the living information acquired by the microphone 15. The control unit 22 can extract the shuffling gait sound from the walking sound acquired by the microphone 15. Further, the control unit 22 can identify the walking sound of the target person from the walking sound acquired by the microphone 15. The shuffling gait sound and the walking sound of the target person can be identified using appropriate feature amounts obtained by analyzing the accumulated walking sound data.

[0076] If the control unit 22 determines that the target person is walking with a shuffling gait, the process proceeds to step S32. On the other hand, if the control unit 22 determines that the target person is not walking with a shuffling gait, the process proceeds to step S36.

[0077] In step S32, the control unit 22 estimates the walking speed of the subject based on the living information acquired by the opening / closing sensor 16, and determines whether the walking speed has decreased. For example, based on the record of the walking speed within a predetermined period, if the walking speed is slower than the record before the predetermined period, the control unit 22 determines that "the walking speed has decreased". In this embodiment, the predetermined period is one week. Note that the predetermined period is not limited to one week, and may be, for example, one day or one month, and any period can be adopted. When the walking speed of the subject decreases, it can be estimated that there are signs of weakness in the legs and waist, and the risk of falling is high. Also, if the walking speed of the subject has not decreased, it can be estimated that there are no signs of weakness in the legs and waist, and the risk of falling is low.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 22 can estimate the walking speed using the indoor movement time acquired by the opening / closing sensor 16. Specifically, the control unit 22 acquires from the opening / closing sensor 16 the records of the times when a certain indoor door 4 in the residence 2 and another indoor door 4 are opened and closed, thereby calculating the time (movement time) taken by the subject to move between the indoor doors 4. Also, the control unit 22 acquires the distance between the indoor doors 4 from the drawing data of the residence 2 stored in advance in the storage unit 21, and calculates the walking speed based on the distance and the movement time.

[0079] In addition, when the control unit 22 acquires the walking sound of the subject acquired by the microphone 15 installed near the indoor door 4 in addition to the living information acquired by the indoor door 4, the control unit 22 can estimate that the subject has moved indoors. In this case, the control unit 22 can identify the walking sound of the subject (for example, the walking sound of shuffling feet) from the walking sound acquired by the microphone 15 installed near the indoor door 4. According to this, even when there are other people in the residence 2 in addition to the subject, the movement of the subject and the movement of other people can be distinguished.

[0080] In the above-described example, an example of calculating the walking speed using the indoor movement time between each indoor door 4 in the residence 2 was shown. However, for example, the walking speed may be calculated using the indoor movement time between the time when the front door 3 acquired by the electronic lock 12 is opened and closed and the time when the indoor door 4 acquired by the opening / closing sensor 16 is opened and closed.

[0081] When the control unit 22 determines that the walking speed of the subject has decreased, it proceeds to the process of step S33. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that the walking speed of the subject has not decreased, it proceeds to the process of step S35.

[0082] In step S33, the control unit 22 assigns rank 3 as the determination result of the fall risk. That is, when reaching the process of step S33, since the subject is walking with a shuffling gait and the walking speed has decreased (since the number of ○ indicating that the above items are good is 0), the lowest determination result, rank 3, is assigned. After executing the process of step S33, the control unit 22 proceeds to the process of step S34.

[0083] In step S34, the control unit 22 registers (stores) the determination result of the fall risk in the storage unit 21. The determination result of the fall risk is accumulated in an appropriate database. After executing the process of step S34, the control unit 22 ends the fall risk determination process S30.

[0084] In step S35, which is entered when it is determined in step S32 that the walking speed has not decreased, the control unit 22 assigns rank 2 as the determination result of the fall risk. That is, when reaching the process of step S35, since the subject is walking with a shuffling gait but the walking speed has not decreased (since the number of ○ is 1), rank 2, which is a determination result higher than rank 3, is assigned. After executing the process of step S35, the control unit 22 proceeds to the process of step S34.

[0085] In step S36, which is the step to transition to when it is determined in step S31 that the subject is not walking with a shuffling gait, the control unit 22 determines whether the walking speed of the subject has decreased. Note that the process of step S36 is the same as the process of step S32, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0086] When the control unit 22 determines that the walking speed of the subject has decreased, it proceeds to the process of step S37. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that the walking speed of the subject has not decreased, it proceeds to the process of step S38.

[0087] In step S37, the control unit 22 assigns rank 2 as the determination result of the fall risk. That is, when reaching the process of step S35, although the walking speed has decreased, since the subject is not walking with a shuffling gait (since the number of ○ is 1), rank 2, which is a higher determination result than rank 3, is assigned. After executing the process of step S37, the control unit 22 proceeds to the process of step S34.

[0088] In step S38, the control unit 22 assigns rank 1 as the determination result of the fall risk. That is, when reaching the process of step S38, since the subject is not walking with a shuffling gait and the walking speed has not decreased (since the number of ○ is 2), rank 1, which is the highest determination result, is assigned. After executing the process of step S38, the control unit 22 proceeds to the process of step S34.

[0089] Hereinafter, the care-required state transition risk determination process S40 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 6. The care-required state transition risk determination process S40 is a process for determining the risk of transition of the subject to a care-required state based on the determination result of the daily activity level determination process S10 and the determination result of the fall risk determination process S30. The risk of transition to a care-required state is indicated by ranks from rank 1 to rank 3 in ascending order of low risk (low need for care). The care-required state transition risk determination process S40 is executed by an operation of an operator (for example, a caregiver, etc.). The above operation can adopt, for example, an operation via the input unit 23.

[0090] In step S41, the control unit 22 determines whether the degree of daily activity is high based on the determination result of the daily activity determination process S10. The control unit 22 determines that the degree of daily activity is high if the rank of the degree of daily activity is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference value. In the present embodiment, the reference value is set as rank 2. Note that the reference value is not limited to the above value, and various values such as rank 3 can be adopted, for example.

[0091] If the control unit 22 determines that the degree of daily activity is high, it proceeds to the process of step S42. On the other hand, if the control unit 22 determines that the degree of daily activity is low, it proceeds to the process of step S46.

[0092] In step S42, the control unit 22 determines whether the risk of falling is low based on the determination result of the fall risk determination process S30. The control unit 22 determines that the risk of falling is high if the rank of the risk of falling is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference value. In the present embodiment, the reference value is set as rank 2.

[0093] If the control unit 22 determines that the risk of falling is low, it proceeds to the process of step S43. On the other hand, if the control unit 22 determines that the risk of falling is high, it proceeds to the process of step S45.

[0094] In step S43, the control unit 22 assigns rank 1 as the determination result of the risk of transition to a care-required state. That is, when the process of step S43 is reached, since the degree of daily activity is high and the risk of falling is low (since the number of ○ indicating that the above items are good is 2), rank 1, which is the highest determination result, is assigned. After executing the process of step S43, the control unit 22 proceeds to the process of step S44.

[0095] In step S44, the control unit 22 registers (stores) the determination result of the risk of transition to a care-required state in the storage unit 21. The determination result of the risk of transition to a care-required state is accumulated in an appropriate database. After executing the process of step S44, the control unit 22 ends the care-required state transition risk determination process S40.

[0096] In step S45 which is to be entered when it is determined in step S42 that the risk of falling is high, the control unit 22 assigns rank 2 as the determination result of the risk of transitioning to a care-required state. That is, when the process of step S45 is reached, although the degree of daily activity is high, since the risk of falling is high (since the number of ○ is 1), rank 2, which is the determination result next to rank 1 in the upper position, is assigned. After executing the process of step S45, the control unit 22 proceeds to the process of step S44.

[0097] In step S46 which is to be entered when it is determined in step S41 that the degree of daily activity is low, the control unit 22 determines whether the risk of falling is low. Note that the process of step S46 is the same as the process of step S42, so the description is omitted.

[0098] When the control unit 22 determines that the risk of falling is low, it proceeds to the process of step S47. On the other hand, when the control unit 22 determines that the risk of falling is high, it proceeds to the process of step S48.

[0099] In step S47, the control unit 22 assigns rank 2 as the determination result of the risk of transitioning to a care-required state. That is, when the process of step S47 is reached, although the risk of falling is low, since the degree of daily activity is low (since the number of ○ is 1), rank 2, which is the determination result next to rank 1 in the upper position, is assigned. After executing the process of step S47, the control unit 22 proceeds to the process of step S44.

[0100] In step S48, the control unit 22 assigns rank 3 as the determination result of the risk of transitioning to a care-required state. That is, when the process of step S48 is reached, since the degree of daily activity is low and the risk of falling is high (since the number of ○ is 0), rank 3, which is the lowest determination result, is assigned. After executing the process of step S48, the control unit 22 proceeds to the process of step S44.

[0101] In addition, the control unit 22 can display the determination result of the risk of transition to the care-required state registered in the storage unit 21 in the process of step S44 on the display unit 24. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 7, the determination result of the care-required state transition risk determination process S40 displayed on the display unit 24 will be described.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 7, the determination result (rank 1 to 4) of the care-required state transition risk determination process S40 is shown by a matrix diagram in four quadrants divided into four regions by the vertical axis indicating the level of life activity and the horizontal axis indicating the level of fall risk. The control unit 22 displays in which region of the matrix diagram the determination result of the target person is located.

[0103] The upper left region of the matrix diagram indicates that the determination result of the risk of transition to the care-required state is rank 1. The above determination result indicates that the determination results of the current target person's life activity level and fall risk are good. In this case, a message indicating that the current target person has a relatively low risk of transition to the care-required state is displayed in the above region.

[0104] The lower left region of the matrix diagram indicates that the determination result of the risk of transition to the care-required state is rank 2. The above determination result indicates that the determination result of the current target person's fall risk is good, but the determination result of the life activity level is not preferable. In this case, a message indicating that the risk of transition to the care-required state is relatively high in terms of mental state is displayed in the above region.

[0105] The upper right region of the matrix diagram indicates that the determination result of the risk of transition to the care-required state is rank 2. The above determination result indicates that the determination result of the current target person's life activity level is good, but the determination result of the fall risk is not preferable. In this case, a message indicating that the risk of transition to the care-required state is relatively high in terms of physical aspect is displayed in the above region.

[0106] The lower right area of the matrix diagram indicates that the determination result of the risk of transitioning to a state of needing care is rank 3. The above determination result indicates that the current activity level of the target person and the determination result of the risk of falling are not favorable. In this case, a message indicating that the current target person has a relatively high risk of transitioning to a state of needing care is displayed in the above area.

[0107] The caregiver can use the determination result of the above risk determination process for transitioning to a state of needing care S40 as a reference, for example, when considering the care content for the target person.

[0108] According to the risk determination system 1 for transitioning to a state of needing care as described above, based on the living information acquired by the living information acquisition unit 10, the activity level and the risk of falling of the target person are respectively determined, and based on each determination result, the risk of the target person transitioning to a state of needing care can be determined. Thereby, it is possible to comprehensively determine the risk of transitioning to a state of needing care from the mental aspect (such as cognitive function) and the physical aspect (such as the condition of the legs and waist).

[0109] Also, according to the present embodiment, living information can be acquired by using the living information acquisition unit 10 (power sensor 11, electronic lock 12, weighing scale 13, meal recording unit 14, microphone 15, and opening / closing sensor 16) installed in the home 2 of the target person. Thereby, it is possible to acquire living information without having the target person possess the device for acquiring living information. Thereby, the burden on the target person when acquiring living information can be reduced, and the actual living situation of the target person can be preferably estimated.

[0110] Note that each process performed in the above activity level determination process S of the target person can be preferably estimated.

[0111] For example, in the present embodiment, the determination result of the semi-care state transition risk determination process S40 shown in FIG. 7 is shown in a four-quadrant matrix diagram based on the level of daily activity and the level of fall risk, but it is not limited to such a mode. Specifically, in the semi-care state transition risk determination process S40, for example, the determination result (ranks 1 to 4) of the daily activity determination process S10 and the determination result (ranks 1 to 3) of the fall risk may be combined to show the determination result of the transition risk to the semi-care state in a more detailed manner.

[0112] As described above, the semi-care state transition risk determination system 1 according to the present embodiment is installed in the home 2 of the subject and includes a living information acquisition unit 10 that acquires living information, which is information related to the life of the subject. Based on the living information acquired by the living information acquisition unit 10, a state estimation unit (control unit 22) that estimates the physical and mental state of the subject. Based on the estimation result of the state estimation unit (control unit 22), a determination unit (control unit 22) that determines the transition risk of the subject to the semi-care state. is provided.

[0113] By configuring in this way, the transition risk of the subject to the semi-care state can be suitably determined. That is, by using the living information acquisition unit 10 installed in the home 2 of the subject to acquire living information, it is possible to acquire living information without having the subject possess the device for acquiring living information. Thereby, the burden on the subject when acquiring living information can be reduced, and the actual daily life of the subject can be suitably estimated. In addition, based on the estimation result of the physical and mental state of the subject, the transition risk to the semi-care state can be comprehensively determined.

[0114] In addition, among the physical and mental states of the subject, the mental state includes the level of daily activity. The determination unit (control unit 22) determines the level of the daily activity (daily activity determination process S10). It determines the risk of transition to the state of needing care for the subject person, based on at least the determination result of the level of the activity of daily living (Activity of Daily Living Transition Risk Determination Process S40).

[0115] By configuring in this way, it is possible to determine the risk of transition to the state of needing care for the subject person based on the level of the activity of daily living. That is, it is possible to determine the risk of transition to the state of needing care in terms of the mental aspect (such as cognitive function) estimated from the level of the activity of daily living.

[0116] Further, the living information acquisition unit 10 can acquire, as the living information, at least information regarding the use of the electrical appliances 5 provided in the home 2, and the state estimation unit (control unit 22) estimates the going-out frequency of the subject person based on the information regarding the use of the electrical appliances 5, and estimates the activity of daily living based on at least the going-out frequency (Steps S11, Step S14, etc.).

[0117] By configuring in this way, it is possible to determine the risk of transition to the state of needing care for the subject person based on the estimation result of the going-out frequency of the subject person. That is, it is possible to determine the risk of transition to the state of needing care based on the state of the cognitive function estimated from the level of the going-out frequency of the subject person. Also, by estimating the going-out frequency of the subject person based on the use of the electrical appliances 5 provided in the home 2, it is possible to estimate the daily going-out frequency of the subject person without imposing a burden on the subject person.

[0118] Further, the living information acquisition unit 10 can acquire, as the living information, the change in the weight of the subject person and information regarding the diet of the subject person, and the state estimation unit (control unit 22) estimates the activity amount of the subject person based on the change in the weight and the information regarding the diet, and estimates the activity of daily living based on at least the activity amount (Steps S12, Step S14, etc.).

[0119] By configuring in this way, it is possible to determine the risk of transition to the care-required state of the target person based on the estimation result of the activity amount of the target person. That is, based on the state of the cognitive function estimated from the level of the activity amount of the target person, it is possible to determine the risk of transition to the care-required state of the target person. Further, by estimating the activity amount of the target person based on the change in the weight of the target person and the information regarding diet, it is possible to estimate the daily activity amount of the target person without imposing a burden on the target person.

[0120] Further, the life information acquisition unit 10 can acquire the conversation time of the target person as the life information, and the state estimation unit (control unit 22) estimates the communication amount of the target person based on the conversation time, and estimates the life activity level based on at least the communication amount (steps S13, step S14, etc.).

[0121] By configuring in this way, it is possible to determine the risk of transition to the care-required state of the target person based on the estimation result of the communication amount of the target person. That is, based on the state of the cognitive function estimated from the amount of communication of the target person, it is possible to determine the risk of transition to the care-required state of the target person. Further, by estimating the communication amount of the target person based on the conversation time of the target person, it is possible to estimate the daily communication amount of the target person without imposing a burden on the target person.

[0122] Further, among the physical and mental states of the target person, the physical state includes the risk of falling, and the determination unit (control unit 22) determines the level of the risk of falling (fall risk determination process S30), and determines the risk of transition to the care-required state of the target person based on at least the determination result of the level of the risk of falling (care-required state transition risk determination process S40).

[0123] By configuring in this way, it is possible to determine the risk of transition to the care-required state of the target person based on the level of the risk of falling. That is, it is possible to determine the risk of transition to the care-required state in terms of the physical aspect (such as the state of the feet and waist) estimated from the level of the risk of falling.

[0124] Also, the living information acquisition unit 10 can acquire the walking sound of the target person as the living information, and the state estimation unit (control unit 22) estimates the walking pattern of the target person based on the walking sound, and estimates the risk of falling based on at least the walking pattern (steps S31, step S33, etc.).

[0125] By configuring in this way, it is possible to determine the risk of transition to the care-required state of the target person based on the estimation result of the walking pattern of the target person. That is, it is possible to determine the risk of transition to the care-required state of the target person based on the state of the feet and waist estimated from the walking pattern of the target person. Also, by estimating the walking pattern of the target person based on the walking sound of the target person, it is possible to estimate the daily walking pattern of the target person without imposing a burden on the target person.

[0126] Also, the living information acquisition unit 10 can acquire the movement time and movement distance of the target person within the residence 2 as the living information, and the state estimation unit (control unit 22) estimates the walking speed of the target person based on the movement time and the movement distance, and estimates the risk of falling based on at least the movement time and the movement distance (steps S32, step S33, etc.).

[0127] By configuring in this way, it is possible to determine the risk of transition to the care-required state of the target person based on the estimated result of the walking speed of the target person. That is, based on the state of the lower body estimated from the movement time of the target person, it is possible to determine the risk of transition to the care-required state of the target person. Further, by estimating the walking speed of the target person based on the walking sound of the target person, it is possible to estimate the daily walking speed of the target person without imposing a burden on the target person.

[0128] Note that the control unit 22 according to the present embodiment is an embodiment of the state estimation unit and the determination unit according to the present invention.

[0129] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims.

[0130] For example, in the present embodiment, the living information acquisition unit 10 is configured to include the power sensor 11, the electronic lock 12, the weighing scale 13, the meal recording unit 14, the microphone 15, and the opening / closing sensor 16. However, it is not limited to such a mode. As the living information acquisition unit 10, in addition to or instead of the above-described units, appropriate sensors such as a human sensor and an illuminance sensor can be adopted.

[0131] Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the risk of transition to the care-required state of the mental aspect of the target person is determined by the degree of life activity is shown. However, it is not limited to such a mode. The determination of the risk of transition to the care-required state of the mental aspect of the target person can adopt any degree that can estimate the mental state of the target person.

[0132] Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the risk of transition to the care-required state of the physical aspect of the target person is determined by the risk of falling is shown. However, it is not limited to such a mode. The determination of the risk of transition to the care-required state of the physical aspect of the target person can adopt any degree that can estimate the physical state of the target person.

[0133] In addition, in this embodiment, an example in which the home 2 is a room in a care facility is shown, but it is not limited to such a mode. The home 2 may be a room in a hospital or the home of the target person.

Explanation of Signs

[0134] 1 Care-required State Transition Risk Judgment System 10 Living Information Acquisition Unit 22 Control Unit

Claims

1. A life information acquisition unit that is installed in the home of the target person and acquires life information, which is information related to the life of the target person; A state estimation unit that estimates the physical and mental state of the target person based on the life information acquired by the life information acquisition unit; A determination unit that determines the risk of transition to a care-required state of the target person based on the estimation result of the state estimation unit; Comprising: Among the physical and mental states of the target person, the mental state includes the degree of life activity; Among the physical and mental states of the target person, the physical state includes the risk of falling; The state estimation unit: Estimates the degree of life activity for each of a plurality of items indicating the degree of life activity; Estimates the risk of falling for each of a plurality of items indicating the risk of falling; The determination unit: For each of the plurality of items indicating the degree of life activity, compares the estimation result of the degree of life activity with a reference value in the item, and determines the level of the degree of life activity of the target person based on the number of items for which the degree of life activity is determined to be higher than the reference value; For each of the plurality of items indicating the risk of falling, compares the estimation result of the risk of falling with the record within a predetermined period in the item, and determines the level of the risk of falling of the target person based on the number of items for which the risk of falling is determined to be higher than the record within the predetermined period; Determines the risk of transition to a care-required state of the target person based on the combination of the determination result of the level of the degree of life activity and the determination result of the level of the risk of falling; A system for determining the risk of transition to a care-required state.

2. The life information acquisition unit: Can acquire at least information related to the use of electrical appliances provided in the home as the life information; Among the items indicating the degree of life activity: Includes the frequency of going out of the target person; The state estimation unit: Estimates the frequency of going out based on the information related to the use of electrical appliances; The system for determining the risk of transition to a care-required state according to Claim 1.

3. The life information acquisition unit: Can acquire the weight change of the target person and information related to the diet of the target person as the life information; Among the items indicating the degree of life activity: Includes the activity level of the target person; The state estimation unit: Estimates the activity level based on the weight change and the information related to the diet; The system for determining the risk of transition to a care-required state according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. The life information acquisition unit: Can acquire the conversation time of the target person as the life information; The items indicating the degree of life activity include the amount of communication of the subject, The state estimation unit estimates the amount of communication based on the conversation time. The semi-care state transition risk determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The life information acquisition unit can acquire the walking sound of the subject as the life information, The items indicating the risk of falling include the walking pattern of the subject, The state estimation unit estimates the walking pattern based on the walking sound. The semi-care state transition risk determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The life information acquisition unit can acquire the movement time and movement distance of the subject within the home as the life information, The items indicating the risk of falling include the walking speed of the subject, The state estimation unit estimates the walking speed based on the movement time and the movement distance. The semi-care state transition risk determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The determination unit uses a diagram divided into a plurality of regions by an axis indicating the level of the degree of life activity and an axis indicating the level of the risk of falling to show the determination result of the risk of transition of the subject to a semi-care state. The semi-care state transition risk determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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