Care support system, care support device, care support method, and program

Abstract

A care support system comprises a caregiver proxy unit that is connected to a mobile terminal of a care receiver via a network, and executes, on behalf of the caregiver, a response that corresponds to the state of the care receiver with respect to a conversation performed by the care receiver using the mobile terminal. The caregiver proxy unit includes a caregiver behavior history storage unit and a caregiver AI. The caregiver behavior history storage unit stores conversation data related to the history of conversations between the care receiver and the caregiver. The caregiver AI learns the conversation data and executes a response in a manner simulating the response of the caregiver.

Description

Nursing care support system, nursing care support device, nursing care support method, and program

[0001] The present invention relates to a care support system, a care support device, a care support method, and a program.

[0002] There is a need to build a comprehensive system for each community that can provide nursing care services so that elderly people can continue to live independent daily lives in the communities they are familiar with. Nursing care may be provided by staff at a nursing facility, or by family members at the elderly person's home. Therefore, in order to provide nursing care and medical services comprehensively in the community, it is necessary for not only caregivers who care for the elderly (those receiving care), but also various players such as medical institutions and government agencies that support nursing care in the community to work together and be involved.

[0003] Various care data (e.g., vital signs of care recipients) are collected and shared among the aforementioned local players for use (Patent Document 1). Care data is essential for recognizing the health status of care recipients (e.g., whether or not they have swallowing disorders) and planning necessary care (e.g., preventing aspiration). By appropriately sharing care data among local players, these players can collaborate and participate in care. As a result, the quality of care can be improved in the area where the care recipients live.

[0004] Patent No. 6326384 Patent No. 7435733

[0005] Caring for a care recipient places a heavy mental and physical burden on the caregiver. For example, the input and output of the above-mentioned care data must be done by the caregiver. In order for the care recipient to receive quality care, it is desirable for the care data to include as many items as possible and for it to be updated as frequently as possible. However, this also increases the caregiver's effort in inputting and outputting data. Therefore, in order for the care recipient to receive quality care, a heavy burden is placed on the caregiver.

[0006] Conversations with care recipients can be a significant burden for caregivers. For example, if the care recipient is an elderly person suffering from dementia, the caregiver may be forced to repeat the same topics with the care recipient, which can cause mental stress. A technology is known that supports conversations by estimating the level of knowledge of the person in conversation from the content of their speech and outputting questions appropriate to that level of knowledge (Patent Document 2). However, even with this technology, the caregiver must ultimately initiate the conversation. Therefore, this technology cannot sufficiently reduce the caregiver's stress.

[0007] In addition, especially when the caregiver is a family member, it may be difficult for the caregiver to provide constant care to the care recipient (for example, because the caregiver is at work during the day or does not live with the care recipient). Even if the caregiver is a staff member at a nursing facility, if there are multiple care recipients for whom they are responsible, they may not be able to provide constant care to a specific care recipient. If the condition of the care recipient or the environment surrounding the care recipient suddenly changes during the time when the caregiver is unable to provide care, there is a high risk that the life or physical health of the care recipient will be endangered.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a care support system, a care support device, a care support method, and a program that can reduce the burden on caregivers and enable care recipients to receive comprehensive care.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the care support system has a caregiver proxy unit that is connected to the mobile terminal of the care recipient via a network and responds on behalf of the caregiver to conversations held by the care recipient using the mobile terminal in accordance with the condition of the care recipient.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the care support device is connected to the mobile terminal of the care recipient via a network and has a caregiver proxy unit that responds on behalf of the caregiver to conversations held by the care recipient using the mobile terminal in accordance with the condition of the care recipient.

[0011] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the care support method executes, on behalf of the caregiver, a response to a conversation held by the care recipient using a mobile terminal, according to the condition of the care recipient.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the program causes a computer to respond to a conversation held by the care recipient using a mobile terminal in accordance with the condition of the care recipient on behalf of a caregiver.

[0013] According to the present invention, the burden on the caregiver can be reduced and the care recipient can receive satisfactory care.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a care support platform according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a care support system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a medical institution system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an administrative agency system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing a care support method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a care support method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing a care support method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a care support platform according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a third-party agency system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims.

[0016] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Note that a system including multiple systems is called a platform in this embodiment.

[0017] A care support system, a care support device, and a care support platform according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0018] [Care support platform] A care support platform is a comprehensive system that provides care services to care recipients living in a certain area. The care support platform consists of multiple systems that are connected to each other via a network such as the Internet.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the care support platform 1 includes a care support system 100, a care recipient system 200, a caregiver system 300, a medical institution system 400, and an administrative institution system 500, which are connected to each other via a network NW.

[0020] [Care Support System] The care support system 100 plays a central role in the care support platform 1 providing care services to care recipients. The care support system 100 accepts an application for service provision from the care recipient (or a person with the authority to act on their behalf; hereinafter omitted). The care support system 100 obtains consent from the care recipient for the care support system 100 to acquire personal information of the care recipient (including medical history and health checkup results; hereinafter omitted) and for the care recipient's personal information acquired by the care support system 100 to be provided to a third party (e.g., medical institution system 400).

[0021] The care support system 100 acquires data on the behavioral history of the care recipient (e.g., conversation history, walking history, and eating history). The care support system 100 creates a care support AI by using the acquired data on the behavioral history of the care recipient as learning data. The care support system 100 predicts the behavior of the care recipient using the created care support AI. The care support system 100 creates advice regarding behavior based on the predicted behavior of the care recipient and transmits it to the care recipient and caregiver.

[0022] The care support system 100 acquires data on the behavioral history of the caregiver (e.g., a history of conversations between the care recipient and the caregiver). The care support system 100 creates a caregiver AI by using the data on the behavioral history of the caregiver as learning data. The created caregiver AI learns the caregiver's responses (e.g., speech) according to the state of the care recipient. The care support system 100 uses the created caregiver AI to execute appropriate responses according to the state of the care recipient at each moment, on behalf of the caregiver, in a manner that imitates the caregiver's responses (not only the content of the response, but also, for example, the voice and tone of the response). The care support system 100 may create conversational text with the care recipient (e.g., conversational text based on the content of previous conversations, such as topics about the care recipient's family, topics about the care recipient's hobbies, or the care recipient's experiences) based on the data on the behavioral history of the care recipient, and execute a response to the care recipient in a manner that imitates the caregiver's responses.

[0023] With this configuration, care services can be provided even when the caregiver is not present in front of the care recipient, thereby reducing the burden on the caregiver. Furthermore, the care recipient can receive the same response from the care support system 100 as they would from a familiar caregiver, so they can receive care services with peace of mind based on the trust relationship (rapport) they have formed with the caregiver.

[0024] The care support system 100 cooperates with other systems (medical institution system 400, administrative agency system 500) connected via the network NW as necessary. The care support system 100 transmits information about the care recipient to the other systems. The care support system 100 receives information about how to deal with the care recipient from the other systems.

[0025] The care support system 100 conceals information about the care recipient as necessary and transmits it to other systems. Here, "concealment" refers to masking or deleting (including replacing with other descriptions such as codes; the rest is omitted) information that could identify the individual care recipient (e.g., name, date of birth, address). Deletion is performed to various degrees depending on legal restrictions on the use of information. The degree of processing can be, for example, as follows: (1) processing the information so that a specific individual cannot be identified unless it is compared with other information (although it may be possible to identify a specific individual by comparing it with other information), or (2) processing the information so that a specific individual cannot be identified, making it impossible to restore the personal information.

[0026] [Care Recipient System] The care recipient system 200 is a system used by a care recipient to receive care services from the care support platform 1. As shown in Fig. 1 , the care recipient system 200 includes a mobile terminal 201, an auxiliary device 202, and a care recipient behavior history storage unit 203. The mobile terminal 201, the auxiliary device 202, and the care recipient behavior history storage unit 203 are connected to each other, for example, via a wireless LAN in the care recipient's home. As will be described later, the auxiliary device 202 and the care recipient behavior history storage unit 203 may be included in the mobile terminal 201.

[0027] The mobile terminal 201 is a communication device carried by the care recipient. The mobile terminal 201 is, for example, a smartphone. The mobile terminal 201 transmits data on the behavioral history of the care recipient stored in a care recipient behavior history storage unit 203 (described later) to the care support system 100. For example, if the behavioral history of the care recipient is a conversation history, the mobile terminal 201 transmits conversation data collected by a microphone provided therein to the care support system 100. For example, if the behavioral history of the care recipient is a history of walking or other exercise, the mobile terminal 201 transmits exercise history data acquired by a sensor provided in an auxiliary device 202 (described later) to the care support system 100.

[0028] The mobile terminal 201 receives advice regarding the behavior of the care recipient from the care support system 100. The mobile terminal 201 transmits to the care recipient a response (e.g., speech) of the caregiver that the care support system 100 executes on behalf of the caregiver.

[0029] The auxiliary device 202 is a device that assists the behavior of the care recipient. The auxiliary device 202 acquires data on the behavior history of the care recipient using a sensor. The auxiliary device 202 transmits the acquired data on the behavior history of the care recipient to the mobile terminal 201.

[0030] The assistive device 202 may be, for example, glasses, a hearing aid, a wheelchair, or an electric wheelchair. The assistive device 202 may be, for example, an IoT device or a wearable device that has functions such as automatically administering insulin or measuring the amount of urine in the bladder and notifying the user when to urinate. The assistive device 202 may be, for example, an app installed on the mobile terminal (smartphone) 201 that measures vital data such as heart rate and pulse.

[0031] The care receiver behavior history storage unit 203 stores behavior history data of the care receiver acquired by a sensor of the mobile terminal 201 or the auxiliary device 202. The care receiver behavior history storage unit 203 may be a recording medium built into the mobile terminal (smartphone) 201 or may be a recording medium external to the mobile terminal 201. The care receiver behavior history storage unit 203 may erase the behavior history data of the care receiver transmitted by the mobile terminal 201 to the care support system 100, or may continue to store it.

[0032] [Caregiver System] The caregiver system 300 is a system used by a caregiver to provide care services on the care support platform 1. As shown in Fig. 1 , the caregiver system 300 includes a mobile terminal 301 and a caregiver action history storage unit 302. The mobile terminal 301 and the caregiver action history storage unit 302 are connected to each other, for example, via a wireless LAN in the home of the care recipient. As will be described later, the caregiver action history storage unit 302 may be included in the mobile terminal 301.

[0033] The mobile terminal 301 is a communication device carried by the caregiver. The mobile terminal 301 is, for example, a smartphone. The mobile terminal 301 transmits data of the caregiver's behavior history stored in a caregiver behavior history storage unit 302 (described later) to the care support system 100. For example, if the caregiver's behavior history is a history of a conversation between the care recipient and the caregiver, the mobile terminal 301 transmits data of the conversation collected by its own microphone to the care support system 100. The mobile terminal 301 may transmit information necessary for caring for and supporting the care recipient, which is input by the caregiver, to the care support system 100.

[0034] The caregiver action history storage unit 302 stores data of the caregiver's action history acquired by the mobile terminal 301. The caregiver action history storage unit 302 may be a recording medium built into the mobile terminal (smartphone) 301, or may be a recording medium external to the mobile terminal 301. The caregiver action history storage unit 302 may erase the data of the caregiver's action history transmitted by the mobile terminal 301 to the care support system 100, or may continue to store the data.

[0035] [Medical Institution System] The medical institution system 400 provides medical and nursing care services to the care recipient in cooperation with the nursing care support system 100. The medical institution system 400 is a system equipped with a network of medical institutions based in the area where the care recipient resides. The medical institution network includes, for example, medical facilities such as hospitals and clinics where the care recipient's family doctor works, and other medical facilities such as general hospitals, acute care hospitals, and rehabilitation hospitals that have more advanced medical equipment and more specialized technology and that cooperate with these medical facilities. If the care recipient is an elderly person suffering from dementia, it is desirable that the medical institution network include medical facilities that have a wealth of diagnostic data on dementia patients.

[0036] The medical institution system 400 receives data on the behavioral history (e.g., walking history) of the care recipient acquired by the care support system 100 from the care support system 100. Based on the received data on the behavioral history of the care recipient and data on the past patient diagnosis history, the medical institution system 400 provides services such as care advice and diagnosis to the care recipient (collectively referred to as "care advice, etc.") (to the extent possible under the regulations of the Medical Procedures Act). Here, "care advice" refers to general advice that does not involve medical judgment based on the care recipient's individual medical information. Care advice is, for example, the creation of exercise menus and meal menus based on the instructions and advice of a doctor.

[0037] [Administrative Agency System] The administrative agency system 500 provides nursing care services to care recipients in cooperation with the nursing care support system 100. The administrative agency system 500 is a system included in an administrative agency network. In addition to the local government where the care recipient resides, the administrative agency network includes, for example, public nursing homes operated by the local government, housing for the elderly registered with the local government, and nursing care service providers designated by the local government.

[0038] The administrative agency system 500 receives data on the behavioral history (e.g., walking history) of the care recipient acquired by the care support system 100 from the care support system 100. The administrative agency system 500 provides information to support the daily life of the care recipient based on the received data on the behavioral history of the care recipient and information about the care recipient. For example, when additional support such as day care is required, the administrative agency system 500 contacts the caregiver. For example, when an elderly person with dementia (care recipient) who was walking alone is rescued, the administrative agency system 500 compares the identification information received from the mobile terminal 201 carried by the care recipient with the information about the care recipient and contacts the caregiver or family.

[0039] [Care Support Device] As shown in FIG. 2 , the care support system 100 includes a care support device 110, an information management unit 120, and a communication unit 130.

[0040] The care support device 110 includes a care support unit 111 and a caregiver substitute unit 112 .

[0041] The care support unit 111 includes a care support AI 1111, a care recipient behavior history storage unit 1112, and a care recipient information storage unit 1113.

[0042] The care support AI 1111 is created by using as learning data the behavioral history (e.g., conversation history, walking history, and eating history) of the care recipient acquired by the care support system 100. The care support AI 1111 predicts the behavior of the care recipient.

[0043] The care receiver behavior history storage unit 1112 stores data on the behavior history of the care receiver acquired by the care support system 100. A sufficient amount of data on the behavior history of the care receiver is accumulated and stored to be used as learning data.

[0044] The care receiver information storage unit 1113 stores and manages information about the care receiver (e.g., name, date of birth, address, etc.). For example, when the care receiver applies for a service, the care receiver inputs the information about the care receiver into the mobile terminal 201 and transmits it to the care receiver after agreeing to the care receiver's personal information being acquired by the care receiver support system 100.

[0045] The caregiver proxy unit 112 includes a caregiver AI 1121 , a caregiver action history storage unit 1122 , and a caregiver information storage unit 1123 .

[0046] The caregiver AI 1121 is created by using as learning data the behavioral history of the caregiver (e.g., the history of conversations between the care recipient and the caregiver) acquired by the care support system 100. The caregiver AI 1121 executes appropriate responses (e.g., speech) on behalf of the caregiver according to the condition of the care recipient at each moment.

[0047] The caregiver behavior history storage unit 1122 stores data on the behavior history of the caregiver acquired by the care support system 100. A sufficient amount of data on the behavior history of the caregiver is accumulated and stored to be used as learning data.

[0048] The caregiver information storage unit 1123 stores and manages information about the caregiver (e.g., name, date of birth, address, etc.). The caregiver inputs the information about the caregiver into the mobile terminal 301 and transmits it to the care support system 100, for example.

[0049] The information management unit 120 includes a consent management unit 121, an anonymization unit 122, and an external collaboration unit 123. The consent management unit 121 records and manages information of consent (e.g., date and time of receipt, content of consent) obtained from the care recipient regarding the care support system 100 acquiring the care recipient's personal information and providing the care recipient's personal information acquired by the care support system 100 to a third party (e.g., medical institution system 400). The anonymization unit 122 anonymizes information about the care recipient. The anonymization unit 122 may encrypt and decrypt information about the care recipient. The external collaboration unit 123 processes information necessary for the care support system 100 to collaborate with another system (e.g., medical institution system 400).

[0050] The communication unit 130 transmits and receives information (data) to and from other systems via the network NW (see FIG. 1).

[0051] [Care Advice Unit] As shown in FIG. 3 , the medical institution system 400 includes a care advice unit 410 , an information management unit 420 , and a communication unit 430 .

[0052] The care advice unit 410 includes a care advice AI 411, a diagnosis history storage unit 412, and a concealed behavior history storage unit 413.

[0053] The care advice AI 411 provides care advice, etc. to the care recipient (to the extent possible under the regulations of the Medical Procedure Act) based on data on the care recipient's behavioral history (e.g., walking history) and data on past patient diagnosis histories received by the medical institution system 400. The diagnosis history storage unit 412 stores data on the diagnosis history of past patients (e.g., dementia patients) performed at medical institutions. The concealed behavior history storage unit 413 stores data on the care recipient's behavioral history received by the medical institution system 400. A sufficient amount of diagnosis history data and care recipient's behavioral history data is accumulated and stored to be used as learning data.

[0054] The information management unit 420 includes an anonymization unit 421 and an external linkage unit 422. The anonymization unit 421 anonymizes information related to the care recipient. For example, when personal information of the care recipient obtained directly from the care recipient by a family doctor is provided to another institution from the hospital where the family doctor works, it may be necessary to anonymize the personal information. The anonymization unit 421 may encrypt and decrypt information related to the care recipient. The external linkage unit 422 processes information necessary for the medical institution system 400 to link with other systems (e.g., the care support system 100).

[0055] The communication unit 430 transmits and receives information (data) to and from other systems via the network NW (see FIG. 1).

[0056] [Administrative Support Unit] As shown in FIG. 4 , the administrative agency system 500 includes an administrative support unit 510 , an information management unit 520 , and a communication unit 530 .

[0057] The administrative support unit 510 includes an administrative support AI 511 , a care receiver information storage unit 512 , a caregiver information storage unit 513 , and a care receiver behavior history storage unit 514 .

[0058] The administrative support AI 511 provides information to support the daily life of the care recipient based on the behavioral history data of the care recipient received by the administrative agency system 500 and the information of the care recipient. For example, if additional support such as day care is needed, the administrative support AI 511 contacts the caregiver. For example, when an elderly person with dementia (care recipient) who was walking alone is rescued, the administrative support AI 511 compares the identity information received from the mobile terminal 201 carried by the care recipient with the information of the care recipient and contacts the caregiver or family. The care recipient information storage unit 512 stores and manages information of the care recipient (e.g., name, date of birth, address). The caregiver information storage unit 513 stores and manages information of the caregiver (e.g., name, date of birth, address). The care recipient behavior history storage unit 514 stores behavioral history data of the care recipient. A sufficient amount of behavioral history data of the care recipient is accumulated and stored to be used as learning data.

[0059] The information management unit 520 includes an anonymization unit 521 and an external linkage unit 522. The anonymization unit 521 anonymizes information related to the care recipient. For example, when a local government provides personal information of the care recipient obtained directly from the care recipient to another organization, it may be necessary to anonymize the personal information. The anonymization unit 521 may encrypt and decrypt information related to the care recipient. The external linkage unit 522 processes information necessary for the administrative agency system 500 to link with other systems (e.g., the care support system 100).

[0060] The communication unit 530 transmits and receives information (data) to and from other systems via the network NW (see FIG. 1).

[0061] [Care Support Method] Hereinafter, a care support method according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0062] [Flow up to the start of service provision] As shown in Fig. 5, the flow up to the start of service provision consists of steps S101 to S109. Each step will be described below with reference to the configurations shown in Figs.

[0063] First, the care support system 100 accepts an application for service provision from a care recipient (step S101). Next, the care support system 100 obtains consent from the care recipient to the care support system 100 acquiring personal information of the care recipient and to the provision of the acquired personal information of the care recipient to a third party (step S102).

[0064] Next, the care support system 100 receives information about the care recipient (e.g., name, date of birth, address) from the care recipient. The care support system 100 also receives information about the caregiver (e.g., name, date of birth, address) from the caregiver (step S103). Next, the care support system 100 checks the networks of medical institutions and government agencies related to the care recipient and the caregiver, and cooperates with them (step S104).

[0065] Next, the care support system 100 acquires data on the behavioral history of the care recipient (e.g., conversation history, walking history, and eating history) and data on the behavioral history of the caregiver (e.g., conversation history between the care recipient and the caregiver) (step S105).

[0066] Next, the care support system 100 determines whether the data of the behavioral history of the care recipient and the data of the behavioral history of the caregiver have been accumulated in sufficient amounts to create the care support AI 1111 and the caregiver AI 1121 (step S106). If it is determined that either data has not been accumulated sufficiently, the care support system 100 prompts the mobile terminal 201 or 301 to acquire additional data that is not sufficient (step S107).

[0067] If it is determined that both data have been sufficiently accumulated, the care support system 100 executes learning of the care support AI 1111 and the caregiver AI 1121 (step S108). After the care support AI 1111 and the caregiver AI 1121 are created for the care recipient and the caregiver who applied for the service, the care support system 100 starts the service for the care recipient and the caregiver (step S109).

[0068] [Flow of Automatic Response to Conversation of Care Recipient] As shown in Fig. 6, the flow of automatic response to conversation of the care recipient consists of steps S201 to S211. Each step will be described below with reference to the configurations shown in Figs.

[0069] First, when the care recipient is not present, the care recipient starts a conversation using the mobile terminal 201 (step S201). To start the conversation, it is necessary for the care support system 100 to be able to recognize the conversation of the care recipient. For example, the care recipient operates an app installed on the mobile terminal (smartphone) 201 at the start of the service, thereby enabling the care support system 100 to recognize the conversation of the care recipient. The app can be operated, for example, by touching a touch panel or by using voice recognition.

[0070] Next, the care support AI 1111 of the care support system 100 checks the content of the conversation (step S202). Next, the care support AI 1111 determines whether the content of the conversation is urgent (for example, whether it is necessary to contact a medical institution network immediately, whether it is necessary to contact a government agency network immediately, or whether it is necessary to contact a caregiver immediately) (step S203).

[0071] If it is determined that the content of the conversation is urgent, the care support AI 1111 determines whether or not it is necessary to contact the medical institution network (step S204). If it is determined that it is necessary, the process proceeds to a flow of care advice, etc. (from "A" in FIG. 6 onwards; see FIG. 7).

[0072] If it is determined that contact with the medical institution network is not necessary, the care support AI 1111 determines whether or not contact with the administrative agency network is necessary (step S205). If it is determined that contact with the administrative agency network is necessary, the process proceeds to the administrative collaboration flow (from "B" in FIG. 6 onwards; see FIG. 8).

[0073] If it is determined that contact with the administrative agency network is not necessary, the care support AI 1111 contacts the caregiver (step S206), and the flow ends.

[0074] Returning to step S203, if it is determined that the content of the conversation is not urgent, the care support AI 1111 issues a command to activate the caregiver AI 1121. In other words, the care support AI 1111 cooperates with the caregiver AI 1121 (step S207). The caregiver AI 1121 starts a conversation with the care recipient on behalf of the caregiver (step S208).

[0075] Next, the care support AI 1111 determines whether the content of the conversation of the care recipient is normal (step S209). If it is determined to be normal, the care support AI 1111 stores and manages the data of the conversation content and conversation history in the care recipient behavior history storage unit 1112 as data of the care recipient behavior history (step S210). Finally, the caregiver is notified of the difference in the data of the care recipient behavior history over a certain period of time (step S211), and the flow ends. The notification of the data of the care recipient behavior history may be performed by allowing the caregiver to play back the recorded record of the conversation itself, or the care support AI 1111 may notify the caregiver of the summary of the content of the conversation as text data.

[0076] Returning to step S209, if it is determined that the content of the conversation of the care receiver is not normal, there is a high probability that there is an emergency, and the process proceeds to step S204.

[0077] As described above, by using the care support AI 1111 and the caregiver AI 1121, even when the caregiver is not present in the presence of the care recipient and cannot provide care, appropriate care can be provided according to the urgency of the situation the care recipient is in. As a result, the burden on the caregiver can be reduced.

[0078] [Flow of care advice, etc.] As shown in Fig. 7, the flow of care advice, etc. is made up of steps S301 to S308. Each step will be described below with reference to the configurations shown in Figs.

[0079] First, the care support system 100 conceals information (data) of the behavior history of the care recipient as necessary (step S301).

[0080] For example, even if the law on the use of information does not, in principle, permit the provision of personal information to third parties without consent, there are cases in which anonymized information can be provided to third parties without consent. In this case, even if the consent of the care recipient has not been obtained in the first place, or even if it is unclear whether the care recipient (for example, an elderly person with dementia) has given consent, or even if consent has been given but the scope of consent is unclear, it is still possible to provide information to third parties, limited to a certain amount by anonymization.

[0081] Next, the care support system 100 provides the (confidential) information (data) on the behavioral history of the care recipient to the medical institution system 400 (step S302).

[0082] Next, the care advice AI 411 of the medical institution system 400 provides care advice, etc. to the care recipient (to the extent possible under the regulations of the Medical Procedures Act) based on the data of the care recipient's behavioral history (e.g., walking history) and the data of the patient's past diagnosis history (step S303). Next, the medical institution (doctor) provides care advice, etc. based on the care advice, etc. of the care advice AI 411 (step S304).

[0083] Next, the medical institution system 400 transmits the care advice etc. provided by the medical institution (doctor) to the care support AI 1111 of the care support system 100 (step S305). Next, the care support AI 1111 transmits the received care advice etc. to the caregiver AI 1121 (step S306).

[0084] Next, the caregiver AI 1121 notifies the caregiver of the received care advice, etc. (step S307). Next, the care support AI 1111 supports the care recipient according to the received care advice, etc. (step S308). The support provided by the care support AI 1111 is, for example, advice on changing the settings of the auxiliary device (e.g., a hearing aid) 202. The support provided by the care support AI 1111 is, for example, advice to encourage behavioral change according to the physical condition of the care recipient. This completes the flow of care advice, etc.

[0085] As described above, by using the care support AI 1111 and the caregiver AI 1121, even when the caregiver is not present in the presence of the care recipient and cannot provide care, it is possible to provide appropriate care advice to the care recipient. As a result, the burden on the caregiver can be reduced.

[0086] [Government Collaboration Flow] As shown in Fig. 8, the government collaboration flow is made up of steps S401 to S407. Each step will be described below with reference to the configurations shown in Figs.

[0087] First, the care support system 100 starts cooperation with the administrative agency system 500 (step S401). Next, the care support system 100 transmits each data of care recipient information, caregiver information, and care recipient behavior history to the administrative support AI 511 of the administrative agency system 500 (step S402). Next, the administrative support AI 511 processes and manages each data of care recipient information, caregiver information, and care recipient behavior history transmitted to it according to the data format of the database of the administrative agency, etc. (step S403).

[0088] Next, the care support AI 1111 of the care support system 100 transmits additional data on the behavioral history of the care recipient to the administrative support AI 511 (step S404). Next, the administrative support AI 511 determines whether to notify appropriate facilities that make up the administrative agency network based on the behavioral history of the care recipient (step S405). If it is determined that notification should be made, the administrative agency network facility is contacted and the caregiver is also contacted (step S406). Finally, if support for the care recipient is required, the facility staff member or caregiver in the administrative agency network takes appropriate action, such as a visit (step S407), and the flow ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S405 that notification should not be made, the flow ends immediately.

[0089] As described above, by using the nursing care support AI 1111 and the administrative support AI 511 in cooperation with each other, even when the caregiver is not present in the presence of the care recipient and cannot provide care, appropriate administrative support can be provided to the care recipient. As a result, the burden on the caregiver can be reduced.

[0090] According to this embodiment, the burden on the caregiver can be reduced, and the care recipient can receive satisfactory care.

[0091] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Descriptions of parts common to the first embodiment of the present invention will be omitted.

[0092] As shown in Figure 9, the nursing care support platform 2 of the second embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in the nursing care support platform 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, a third-party agency system 600 is further connected via a network NW.

[0093] The third-party organization system 600 receives anonymized data from the care support system 100, the medical institution system 400, and the administrative organization system 500. The third-party organization system 600 accumulates and stores the anonymized data. The third-party organization system 600 analyzes the accumulated anonymized data to obtain knowledge for care and medical care. The third-party organization system 600 provides the knowledge for care and medical care to the care support system 100, the medical institution system 400, and the administrative organization system 500.

[0094] The third-party organization system 600 may be entrusted with the business of each of the nursing care support system 100, medical institution system 400, and administrative organization system 500, and may handle data for the purpose of each business.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 10 , the third-party authority system 600 includes an information analysis unit 610 , an information management unit 620 , and a communication unit 630 .

[0096] The information analysis unit 610 analyzes data. The information analysis unit 610 includes an information analysis AI 611, a concealed diagnosis history storage unit 612, and a concealed behavior history storage unit 613. The information analysis unit 610 analyzes the concealed diagnosis history data and the concealed behavior history data to obtain knowledge for nursing care and medical care. The concealed diagnosis history storage unit 612 and the concealed behavior history storage unit 613 accumulate and store the concealed diagnosis history data and the concealed behavior history data, respectively.

[0097] The information management unit 620 includes a concealment unit 621 and an external linkage unit 622. The concealment unit 621 conceals information related to the care recipient. The concealment unit 621 may encrypt and decrypt the information related to the care recipient. The external linkage unit 622 processes information necessary for the third-party organization system 600 to link with other systems (e.g., the care support system 100).

[0098] The communication unit 630 transmits and receives information (data) to and from other systems via the network NW (see FIG. 1).

[0099] According to this embodiment, as in the first embodiment of the present invention, the burden on caregivers can be reduced and care recipients can receive comprehensive care. In addition, by having a third-party organization analyze data related to the care and medical care of care recipients, new knowledge about care and medical care can be obtained and applied to care services. Furthermore, depending on the region, care support systems, medical institution systems, and government agency systems may not have sufficient personnel or budgets and may be forced to be small-scale. However, by having a third-party organization system take over the operations of each institution, such as the care support system, the services of each individual care support system can be supplemented.

[0100] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these examples. The shapes and combinations of the components shown in the above examples are merely examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements, etc., without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0101] For example, the device of the present invention can be realized by a computer and a program, and the program can be recorded on a recording medium or provided via a network.

[0102] For example, the administrative agency system 500 may be linked to a public database that contains information about care recipients. The information about care recipients contained in the public database may include, for example, information about disabilities or diseases, information about medication history, information about health checkups, and information about vaccinations.

[0103] 1, 2...Care support platform 100...Care support system 100...Care support system 110...Care support device 111...Care support unit 1111...Care support AI 1112...Care recipient behavior history storage unit 1113...Care recipient information storage unit 112...Caregiver agent unit 1121...Caregiver AI 1122...Caregiver behavior history storage unit 1123...Caregiver information storage unit 120...Information management unit 130...Communication unit 200...Care recipient system 300...Caregiver system 400...Medical institution system 500...Administrative agency system 600...Third-party agency system

Claims

1. A care support system having a caregiver proxy unit that is connected to a mobile device of a care recipient via a network and that responds to conversations held by the care recipient using the mobile device on behalf of a caregiver in accordance with the condition of the care recipient.

2. The care support system of claim 1, wherein the caregiver proxy unit has a caregiver behavior history memory unit and a caregiver AI, the caregiver behavior history memory unit stores conversation data relating to the history of conversations between the care recipient and the caregiver, and the caregiver AI learns the conversation data and responds in a manner that imitates the responses of the caregiver.

3. The care support system according to claim 1, further comprising a care support unit that predicts the behavior of the care recipient based on a history of the care recipient's behavior.

4. The care support system of claim 3, wherein the care support unit includes a care recipient behavior history storage unit and a care support AI, the care recipient behavior history storage unit stores behavioral data relating to the behavior history of the care recipient, and the care support AI learns the behavioral data and predicts the behavior of the care recipient.

5. A care support system comprising: a mobile terminal of a care recipient; and a caregiver proxy unit connected to said mobile terminal via a network, said caregiver proxy unit executing a response to a conversation conducted by said care recipient using said mobile terminal in accordance with the condition of said care recipient on behalf of a caregiver.

6. A care support device having a caregiver proxy unit that is connected to a mobile terminal of a care recipient via a network and that responds to conversations held by the care recipient using the mobile terminal on behalf of a caregiver in accordance with the condition of the care recipient.

7. A care support method in which a response is made on behalf of a caregiver to a conversation conducted by a care recipient using a mobile terminal, according to the condition of the care recipient.

8. A program that causes a computer to respond to conversations that the care recipient has using a mobile device on behalf of the caregiver, depending on the condition of the care recipient.

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