Entries Tagged 'Connected Home' ↓

By Laurie Orlov

Successful aging is not an oxymoron. First the textbook definition (from “The Realities of Aging, Kinsey/Kart): “aging in which external factors either have a neutral role or counteract the effects of internal aging processes, resulting in little or no decrements in functioning.” Whew. What does that mean?

The AARP Healthy@Home study, which surveyed 907 seniors between 65 and 84, helps boil that down to plain English. They asked responders to identify both the importance and their satisfaction with attributes of successful aging, shown here in descending order of importance, with the first column the percentage who ranked the attribute as very important and the second column indicates the percentage that said they were completely satisfied with that aspect of their life:

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Every morning, motion sensors track Joyce Denning as she rises from bed, goes into the bathroom, opens the refrigerator, moves around the living room and strolls out her apartment door.

A computer checks those movements against the 78-year-old’s daily routines and alerts nursing staff when something seems out of the ordinary — like too many trips to the bathroom or restlessness in bed or no motion at all.

The monitoring system has helped Denning remain in her Chisago City apartment for two years — despite a gradual waning of strength in her legs — and avoid moving to an assisted-living or nursing home that would cost more and take away some freedom.

Whether it seems like Big Brother to an outsider, the monitoring doesn’t bother Denning one bit. Well, except for when she polishes her gold rings and pendants in the bathroom. The first couple of times, the sensors set off alarms because it seemed like she had been in the bathroom too long and might have suffered a fall.

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What once seemed intrusive and too “big brother” is beginning to make more sense - remote monitoring technology.  From web cams and motion sensors to special bracelets there are a variety of technical solutions that can allow people to stay in their own homes longer.  And provide great peace of mind for all the loved ones involved in the care circle. 

Below is a link to a great piece that appeared in the New York Times:

Please check out our previous post on the use of webcams and video conferencing software and how this is an easy to implement, easy to use and easy to get used to technology for staying connected with loved ones.