Imagine being imprisoned within your own thoughts, unable to express your basic needs and desires to those around you. For millions of Americans living with dementia, this is their daily reality. But one North Carolina family is finding hope in an unlikely place: artificial intelligence.
Anna Lawrence, a young tech innovator from Asheville, is on a mission to bridge the communication gap for her mother and millions of others suffering from dementia. By harnessing cutting-edge AI technology, Anna is developing a groundbreaking tool that could transform the way we care for and connect with our loved ones in their darkest moments.
A daughter’s fight against dementia
For Anna, the fight against dementia is deeply personal. As a child growing up in Western NC, she witnessed her grandparents suffer from the disease. She spent much of her childhood with her father, a United Methodist pastor, visiting nursing homes. From a young age, Anna was exposed to the profound impact of dementia on families. These experiences would later fuel her passion for projects like the one she’s leading now.
Anna’s journey started with a degree in mathematics from North Carolina State University and working in technology at Red Hat. She then decided to serve her community, pursued a Master’s at Duke Divinity School, worked in ministry and taught computer science in her community. Now she’s focused on using her skills in artificial intelligence to make a real difference in people’s lives.
It was during her recent graduate studies in computer science that Anna’s mother was stricken with dementia. As her mother began to lose her command of language, Anna returned to Asheville to care for her while completing her studies remotely. Driven by her personal experience, Anna began working on an AI-powered communication tool that could help her mother and millions of others suffering from dementia.
A silent epidemic of dementia in North Carolina
Incidence of dementia, by age
Source: Rand Corporation and American Academy of Neurology data from MyBrainTest.org.
In North Carolina, a silent epidemic is growing. Over 210,000 North Carolinians are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. Almost 400,000 family caregivers are bearing the burden of the disease here in NC, providing over $10 billion in value of unpaid care. Probabilities of dementia jump significantly as people reach their mid-70s.
As the Baby Boomer population ages into the 75+ range during the 2020s, dementia numbers are projected to double in the coming decade. Nationwide, over 7 million Americans are similarly afflicted, making dementia one of the largest diseases in the United States without a cure.
Forecasted Age 75+ Population in the United States
Source: “Wave of Aging Baby Boomers” report, Fannie Mae and Oxford Economics.
The frustration is compounded by the lack of effective treatment options. Despite billions invested, the quest for a drug-based solution has remained elusive, placing an immense burden of care and cost on countless families. This devastating disease robs people of their memories, their abilities and ultimately their lives. Families are strained by the immense burden of long-term care, both financially and emotionally.
But in this crisis, there is hope on the horizon—and it comes from an unlikely source: artificial intelligence being developed right here at home.
When thoughts become trapped: The communication crisis of dementia
One of the cruelest aspects of dementia is how it erodes a person’s ability to communicate. As the disease progresses, the brain’s capacity to link thoughts and speech becomes disrupted. Imagine being trapped inside your own mind, with thoughts and needs you can no longer express through words. This is the daily reality for millions and a profound human tragedy.
However, where there is challenge, there is also opportunity—ripe for technological innovation to make a meaningful difference. That’s what we’re working on through our social enterprise innovation program at CareYaya.
The key lies in understanding the human brain in a whole new way. While traditional methods rely on verbal or written communication, we’re focusing on a person’s brainwaves – the electrical signals that fire constantly, reflecting our thoughts and intentions.
Enter mobile electroencephalogram (EEG) technology. Devices like the Muse headband, which is clinically validated and widely available, can pick up subtle changes in brainwave patterns.
Muse 2 headband (electrodes on forehead and above ear, measuring frontal and temporal lobe activity)
Source: Anush Mutyala, Muse 101, Medium.
Source: MindMonitor, EEG data for neuroscience research.
Our team has been experimenting with the power of mobile EEG and artificial intelligence to bridge the communication gap for those living with dementia. By using mobile EEG, we can collect brainwave data from dementia patients as they engage in various activities or attempt to communicate their needs. This data is then used to train sophisticated AI models to interpret the patterns, enabling us to understand human thoughts and intentions in a revolutionary way.
To formally launch this groundbreaking initiative, we selected Anna Lawrence, a talented AI developer with a deep personal connection to our mission. Anna’s unique blend of technical expertise and firsthand experience as a caregiver to her mother living with dementia makes her the ideal person to lead this project. Her passion, coupled with our cutting-edge research approach and access to large populations of dementia patients and their caregivers, holds the potential to transform the lives of millions affected by this cruel disease.
AI may unlock the mind and create a breakthrough in dementia communication
Through this project, Anna has begun to train AI models to decipher the words and topics her mother thinks about. Suddenly, a window of communication opens. Anna can better understand her mother’s needs and wants, even when she can’t express them verbally. It’s a simple interaction, perhaps choosing the right movie from a list of options, but it’s a breakthrough moment nonetheless. This can help soothe agitation and forge a profound connection that transcends the spoken word. It’s easing daily interactions and significantly enhancing her mother’s quality of life.
There’s a profound human story intertwined with the technological one. Anna is not just a developer building software; she’s a daughter witnessing the transformative potential of AI firsthand. It’s this kind of dedication and passionate innovation that excites us. We believe that by building on these initial successes, we can develop an AI-powered communication tool that could improve the lives of millions of dementia patients and their family caregivers.
Anna Lawrence’s mother wearing the Muse mobile EEG headband
Source: CareYaya.
The beauty of this project lies in its accessibility. Mobile EEG technology is relatively affordable and user-friendly, making it feasible for a wider audience. This is not just a high-tech solution being developed in Silicon Valley; it’s a homegrown initiative taking root right here in North Carolina.
Our work is driven by the belief that these technologies can one day be scaled to assist millions worldwide. Imagine a world where individuals with dementia can express their needs, share their feelings, and engage with their loved ones again.
Everyone can make an impact
We want to inspire the community with a powerful message: each and every one of us has the capacity to make a difference. It’s a call to action for every innovator, caregiver, and community leader. Dementia is not just an individual or family issue; it is a societal challenge that requires collective resolve and innovative thinking. We must rally together to push the boundaries of what is possible in technology and caregiving.
The stakes could not be higher. Behind every statistic is a human story —a grandmother, a spouse, a cherished friend. These are our loved ones. Their struggle is our struggle.
As a society, we cannot afford to turn a blind eye. With the aging of the baby boomer generation, we are on the cusp of what could be termed a dementia epidemic. The path to a pharmaceutical cure is fraught with complexity and uncertainty. It’s time to pivot our approach and look towards technology, which holds promise not just for mitigating symptoms but for breaking the isolation that dementia can create.
North Carolina is renowned for our community spirit and emerging technology innovation. It’s fitting, then, that such a revolutionary project is taking root here. This initiative represents the best of what our state stands for: creativity, community, and care. We invite you to join us in this important work. Together, we can transform the landscape of dementia care and make a profound difference in the lives of our most vulnerable citizens.
Through the power of AI innovation, we can bring light to the darkness, give voice to the voiceless, and provide solace and dignity to those living with dementia and the family members who care for them. Let’s harness the power of innovation to bring light back into the lives dimmed by this condition. It’s not just our opportunity; it’s our responsibility.
The future is in our hands—let’s build it together.
Editor’s Note: Neal K. Shah is the CEO of CareYaya Health Technologies, one of the fastest-growing health tech startups in America. He runs a social enterprise and applied research lab utilizing AI and human capital innovation to advance health equity through technology. Neal is a “Top Healthcare Voice” on LinkedIn with a 30k+ following, having led partnerships with top healthcare systems in America.
