Tech Gadgets Could Replace Caregivers for the Elderly

May 11, 2006 — -- Every morning John and Virginia log on to their computer. They are not reading e-mail but instead checking up on Virginia's 80-year old mother, Louise, who lives across town, alone.

By visiting a designated Web page, John and Virginia can tell exactly when Louise got up this morning,

"Within five minutes we can know if my mother has been up to the bathroom in the night, or if she has fallen," says Virginia, staring at the computer screen.

Across town, Louise -- who uses a walker to get around -- shows us how the system works. Her apartment is rigged with a series of motion detectors that track her movements and then transmit that information over the Internet to her family members.

She gestures toward one of the sensors perched atop her television, and tells us to smile.

"I know it can't take my picture," she jokes, "But when you get in the shape that I'm in, you want all the protection you can get."

Text, E-Mail Alerts for Families

Louise is using a system called Quiet Care, an arm of security systems makers ADT, which uses motion detectors in its burglar alarm systems.

If Louise fails to leave her bedroom by the time she and her family have agreed upon, or if she goes into the bathroom and doesn't come out, the system sends a text message to her son-in law's cell phone. It has happened only once, and it was not an emergency.

"I was a little slow in getting out of bed," she admits.

Another system, due on the market this year, is called e-Neighbor. It uses motion detectors to determine a typical pattern of activity for a senior living alone. If there is an abnormal period of inactivity, the system will call the resident, a family member or neighbor for help. It can also dial 911.

These gadgets are part of a growing number of new technologies helping senior citizens live independent lives.

Dr. Eric Tangalos, a geriatrician at the Mayo Clinic says, "Smart technologies give us an opportunity to keep people at home longer and safer and better."

They may also become a necessity.

The population of senior citizens has boomed. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 7,900 baby boomers turn 60 every day, and the options for long-term care outside their homes is both limited and expensive.

"There are not going to be enough caregivers," says Dr. Tangalos. "We're not going to have enough money to spend on individual care in a home. What we need is technology to help sort this out and to help us live safely in our environment."

To that end, scientists at Accenture Labs in Chicago have come up with what they call a "smart" medicine cabinet. It looks like a typical medicine chest, but one of the doors is a mirror and the other is a computer screen.

The cabinet uses a camera to "recognize" the user, and speaks up to prevent mistakes.

Scott Rose, managing director of Accenture Technology, demonstrated the system by reaching toward the cabinet for what he thinks is allergy medication. "I pull out what I think is Claritin," he says while reaching for a bottle rigged with a tiny sensor.

The computer immediately realizes something is wrong and an electronic voice says, "Wrong, you are looking at Meridia instead of Claritin."

When Rose grabs the correct bottle the computer praises him and tells him to take two tablets.

In Minnesota Al Newman is resting in his apartment on a sensor-equipped bed. He is a heart patient, and the bed allows nurses to track subtle changes in his sleep patterns and heart function, like an electronic daily physical.

"It makes me feel better to know that I am being monitored," he said. "Just in case something should happen."

The bed was developed at the University of Virginia and is expected go on the market later this year for the price of $1,000 dollars.

Wiring a Home

At Georgia Tech, scientists have built an entire house to study inventions specifically designed for an aging population. The house is a pleasant bungalow that has the feel of a beach house.

On closer inspection, you notice there are wires, cameras and sensors everywhere. There are computer terminals that track movement in the house and "watch" behavior.

Downstairs in the kitchen a computerized tray keeps track of when pill bottles have been removed, and keeps a running record of which medications were taken, and when.

"This is a very simple visual memory cue to help someone overcome things they may not be able to remember themselves," explains software engineer Gregory Abowd.

Another computerized program helps diabetics calibrate the meter that measures their blood sugar.

In the living room, we find what looks like a framed picture of an aging woman. It is actually a touch screen that shows how active she has been every day of the past month.

A graph depicts the day's activities, and another chart shows when each of the motion sensors fired during that particular day, and how that compares to last week or two weeks ago.

"In a glance you can tell whether it's a normal day or not," says Abowd.

All this technology provides safety and comfort to the senior citizens who use it, but it also helps children and family members who don't live next door.

"It gives us the freedom of just knowing my mother is safe," Virginia says, as she kisses her mother goodbye.

As we leave, Louise tells us, "I love my apartment."

With the aid of technology, she can continue to stay there on her own.