TECHNOLOGY IN CARE
https://www.bccresearch.com/market-research/healthcare/
long-term-care-home-healthcare-technologies-markets-report.html
https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/falls-prevention-facts/
Home Sweet Home
Ben Hirsch, of Vayyar Imaging, explains how technology is enabling a generation to ‘age in place’.
‘Aging in place’ is a common term used today, referring to the ability to grow old in the comfort of your home. Of course, enabling seniors to age on their own terms requires careful planning to pre-empt some of the most common medical problems older people face. Falls can be very dangerous and unfortunately frequent, with one in four seniors suffering a fall every year, according to the CDC, although fewer than half of fall victims inform their doctors.
Physicians and other care professionals generally recommend a regimen of preventive measures against falls, including balance exercises, regularly reviewing medications with a specialist, checking vision and hearing regularly and ensuring the home environment is conducive to easy mobility. A private home oſten requires further adjustments to make it safer for seniors, including the installation of grab bars or various emergency call systems that require strategically-placed buttons, pull-cords or sensors around the property. Such home care systems can empower seniors to age in place and retain their independence, but choosing the appropriate solution for each unique living situation can be challenging.
In recent years, wearable devices that can sense a fall or call for help have become popular, but the fact is that people stop wearing them aſter a few months of owning them or never wear them at all due to a feeling of diminished dignity or unnecessary burden, defeating the purpose of the device altogether.
However, the elder care technology market is growing to suit the needs of a diverse range of seniors – whether they prefer wearables, telehealth services, or home visits by care providers. Indeed, as the population ages and demand soars for solutions that enable the elderly to maintain their independence, BCC Research projects that the global elder
care technology market will reach $13.6 billion (£11 billion) by 2022, compared to $5.6 billion (£4.3 billion) in 2017.
One example is UK-based Cera Care, which has developed an online marketplace that matches seniors to caregivers. The company’s app provides up-to-date information on patients’ health and harnesses artificial intelligence technology to predict health outcomes – enabling the proactive healthcare approach necessary to keep seniors independent. By linking patients to care providers attuned to their unique needs, such applications help ensure that, if an elderly person falls or suffers even a mild health setback, a provider will be available to respond and treat the patient efficiently.
Meanwhile, smart devices like Google Home or Amazon’s Alexa can be used to call for help in the event of a fall, and intelligent sensors such as Vayyar HOME, when placed throughout the home, can detect seniors’ movements and vital signs, allowing for anticipation of and rapid response to any falling episode. This sensor system also works to protect user privacy by not involving wearables or cameras of any kind.
Amid the maturing of the population, a revolution in how society thinks about aging is underway. According to the US. Census, by 2034, adults over the age of 65 will outnumber children under 18 in the United States – a demographic trend that the Census notes is also unfolding in Europe. More older people living with more chronic conditions will spur society to seek new ways of delivering healthcare to those who need it most, with an emphasis on allowing those patients to continue leading independent, flourishing lives. The aging in place revolution is here, and technology is at the forefront.
www.vayyar.com
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www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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