The senior care industry touted its use of technology in past weeks with new gadgets to address important needs of residents in assisted living, continuing- and long-term-care facilities. Here are a few of their favorite things.
1. GeckoSystems: Mobile Robots and Collision-Free Cars
GeckoSystems is teaming up with a Japanese mobile robot solutions company, ZMP, to collaborate on a Mobile Service Robot, Collision Free Wheelchair and Collision Free Car—all with a focus on seniors and disabled individuals.
2. IBM: Avatars Help to Learn about Senior Living
IBM (NYSE: IBM) Canada today announced its software is being used to correlate data from sensors capturing patient activity and replicate it in a virtual world with avatars that represent the elderly subjects in a unique pilot aimed at providing health researchers and students with insights on how to care for Canada’s aging population. The data will be used to understand how to make better use of healthcare resources, enable remote collaboration among providers, and contribute to early intervention and long-term management of chronic diseases. Researchers will also learn how to prepare older people for independent living, and extend the length of time seniors are able to live in their homes.
3. Wandertrack: Wander Prevention
Silent Partner Technologies has added a new, outdoor loop tracking feature that allows monitoring of residents outside of an assisted facility’s walls. The outdoor wireless and invisible perimeter security fence allows assisted living facilities to monitor residents outside via an underground antenna. When a resident passes through designated access points, an alarm and email is initiated to inform operators.
4. FrontPorch Uses Broadband Tech to Improve Senior Health and Wellness
The Model eHealthCommunity for Aging (MeHCA) project will use broadband-enabled technology to support health and wellness needs and improve access to care for underserved and low-income older adults at affordable housing communities, community health clinics and other institutions in Los Angeles’ Koreatown neighborhood. The project will use broadband-enabled technology including video conferencing, health kiosks with peripherals, Wi-Fi, a mobile computer lab, the Dakim Brain Fitness program, L.A. County Safety Net eConsult Program and electronic health records (EHR), to empower a community of providers to and create a coordinated and comprehensive ecosystem of health/wellness resources.
Written by Elizabeth Ecker
