Anxiety and Depression Management For Elderly Using Internet of Things and Symphonic Melodies

COVID-19 affects the mental health of many people around the world. In particular, isolation situations due to lockdown have become more challenging for elderly people as they have limited access to technology. At the same time, technologies of remote systems using Internet of Things (IoT) have emerged as a pivotal role for healthcare management and therefore could assist the elderly in managing and improving their mental health and quality of life. In this paper, we suggest the use of wearable devices with health sensors, therapeutic music playback devices, and a cloud-based data collection system as an integrated Internet of Things architecture capable of assessing the level of anxiety and depression of elderly people. Through an accurate monitoring and reporting of the measured temperature, pulse rate, and SpO2, the system is capable of assessing the level of anxiety and depression and triggers the playback of therapeutic music to reduce the level of stress and anxiety. The implementation of the system, using NodeMCU platform, and space time spreading (STS)-aided communication links, emerges as a promising solution to help the healthcare sector and families to manage and reduce the anxiety and depression risks among elderly population.