SOTY 2022/23: Scientist & Mathematician category winner gets international acclaim for app helping dementia patients
- Ingrid Chan Wai-hin was inspired to create the project by her experience with her grandmothers, both of whom have the condition
- The 17-year-old student’s work utilises mixed reality technology to create an immersive therapeutic environment for those suffering from dementia
Ingrid Chan has developed an award-winning mixed-reality app that helps elderly individuals with dementia improve their cognitive abilities. Photo: Kong Yat-pangAt the young age of 17, Ingrid Chan Wai-hin has already made a name for herself through her innovative contributions to elderly care and her active involvement in community service.
A student at German Swiss International School, Ingrid’s project, “Multi-Sensory Mixed Reality Therapy for Elderly Dementia” (MMRTD), has garnered attention for its potential to improve the lives of dementia patients worldwide. She was inspired to create the project by her experience with her grandmothers, both of whom have the condition.
“I’m driven by the desire to enhance their quality of life and provide comfort and support,” she said.
SOTY 22/23: second runner-up aims to make meaningful contributions to society
MMRTD utilises mixed reality technology to create an immersive therapeutic environment for dementia patients.
“Initially, it was disheartening to visit the elderly patients week after week and see no improvement. However, with patience and perseverance, I witnessed remarkable progress. They danced with avatars I placed in the background, sang along to the songs in the application, and showed increased accuracy in their movements,” Ingrid said.
This highlighted the interactive and engaging nature of the application, which plays a crucial role in stimulating cognitive and physical responses in patients. The program features a user-friendly interface tailored to the specific needs of elderly dementia patients and incorporates multisensory stimulation by combining visual, auditory, and olfactory elements.
This approach effectively engages many different cognitive functions and creates a comforting, familiar environment for the patients. Through her hard work and dedication, she has significantly enhanced the cognitive functions and physical abilities of elderly people with dementia, demonstrating the tangible impact of her efforts.
Ingrid’s groundbreaking work in elderly care innovation has garnered international recognition.
She was also honoured as the winner in the Scientist & Mathematician category at the 2022-2023 Student of the Year awards, organised by the South China Morning Post and sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Furthermore, she made history by becoming the first secondary school student to receive the Gold Plus Award at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions. This prestigious accolade is a testament to her remarkable achievements.
SOTY 2022/23: Linguist (English) winner combines learning with exercise
During the pandemic, Ingrid’s dedication to community service became particularly prominent. Recognising the urgent need among children lacking access to high-speed internet for online education, she partnered with her sister on the Data SIM Cards Donation Campaign.
Together, they collected around 300 Data SIM Cards, surpassing her initial goal, and gave them to children whose families couldn’t afford the bandwidth required for their virtual learning. Through these experiences, she learned that no matter your age, gender, or ethnicity, you can work through hardships with courage and inspire others to do the same.
“I firmly believe that everyone deserves the right to education,” she said, emphasising her unwavering commitment to promoting universal access to schooling.