A machine learning approach for semi-automatic assessment of IADL dependence in older adults with wearable sensors

•Novel method to automate IADLs dependence assessment with sensors.•The use of wearables to collect sensory data of elderly people.•Holistic and ecological approach to save clinicians’ time and reduce healthcare costs.•Comparison between different Machine learning algorithms.•k-Nearest Neighbours (k-NN), Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Random Forest (RF).