Five Coolest Senior Care Tech Unveiled at CES 2014

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Tech companies from all over the world gathered at the 2014 CES tech convention last week to showcase a plethora of innovative technologies for various industries, with senior living and care having a major presence with a host of rising solutions.

One of the conference tracks—Silvers Summit—was even dedicated to products and services specifically designed to keep older adults engaged, entertained, connected and healthy.

The top technologies catering toward senior care included those that boost social connectivity, track vitals and streamline health data information among physicians and other care providers.

From personal monitoring devices to a “smart” pillbox, here are the top five technologies aimed at the aging population at this year’s CES.

1. Angela Express, Independa

Independa Inc., a company that offers senior care providers integrated technology-enabled independent living solutions, launched a streamlined express setup version of its award-winning Angela solution for remote care: Angela Express.

Express sets up in less than two minutes and offers turnkey social connectivity between rehab residents and their family and friends.

The platform enables residents to connect their circle of care with providers, as well as family members, via video chat, photo-sharing, Gmail and Facebook capabilities—all of which is delivered through an Independa-embedded LG Electronics HD TV.

“With Independa Angela Express, rehab facilities can introduce a powerful yet simple solution to promote wellness, social connectivity and healing during the short term stay and pave the way for a facility-branded home care offering upon discharge,” said Independa CEO Kian Saneii.

As an enterprise-centric company, Independa has designed Angela Express to provider a scalable solution for rehab facilities of any size and geographic reach to expand their offerings, Saneii added.

2. Wellograph Watch Tracks Vitals, Wellograph Co., Ltd.

While it doesn’t cater specifically to the aging population, Wellograph’s vitals-tracking watch certainly has implications for senior care.

The Wellograph Watch is a wristwatch with a curved sapphire display that senses the wearer’s heart rate and graphs his or her wellness.

The device is one of the world’s first built-in continuous heart rate wellness trackers and running watch in one device.

This device helped Wellograph Co. become a 2014 Honoree at CES.

3. Smart Pill Box, Medissimo

Another 2014 Honoree at this year’s CES event, French company Medissimo was able to earn its spot among fellow CES Innovations Design and Engineering with its Smart Pill Box device.

The Smart Pill Box is a communicating device that has sensors which enable its users to accurately take medication on a regular basis and to share this data remotely in real-time on health networks.

(This on the heels of digital pills, launched in 2012 by Proteus Health.)

4. Tinké with Lightning Connector, Zensorium 

Tinké uses optical sensing technologies to capture blood volume changes all from a non-invasive fingerprint scan.

The device from Synapse, Singapore-based company Zensorium enables its users to read their own heart rate, respiratory rate and blood oxygen levels by placing a finger on what it dubs the “Lightning Connector.”

This Lightning Connector is a small pad that plugs into the bottom of a iOS-smartphone device for Apple iPhones. The Connector is available in four different colors: blue, pink, grey and white.

Interested buyers can already purchase the Tinké device for a price of $83.30 (USD). For Android users, a compatible Tinké is available for reservation.

5. Smartphone-Enabled Alarm System for Independent Living, Alarm.com

As smartphone devices become more commonplace among Baby Boomers, Alarm.com expects its new product announced during this year’s CES event will bridge the crossroads of smart devices and home healthcare.

Alarm.com’s Wellness service is designed to address the needs of aging seniors and those living with disabilities or serious illness, while granting greater flexibility and independence when it comes to home healthcare options.

The Wellness service expands Alarm.com’s connected ecosystem with new sensor technology that offer customers and caregivers insights into the day-to-day wellness of people receiving care in their homes.

The sensors are outfitted throughout a resident’s home, including living room and bathrooms.

The service provides notification alerts when it detects an inhabitant has suffered long periods of inactivity, as well as alerts when an individual is away from their bed at night for longer periods than usual.

If the sensors detect any irregularities in an individual’s living habits, a stationary personal emergency response system alerts to immediate emergencies.

Written by Jason Oliva