TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES IN ELDER CARE
From sleep tracking sensors to a “magic carpet” that detects, or may even predict, human falls and mobility problems, technological advances in elder care have moved beyond science fiction fantasy to real-world solutions.
BBC News reported in September 2012, that developers from the United Kingdom-based University of Manchester have made use of fiber optic technology to create a “magic carpet” that could be used in senior care centers or hospitals, and eventually, in private homes to alert a nurse or caregiver that a patient has fallen. A mesh of optical fibers could be retro-fitted and placed underneath an existing carpet. As an individual walks on the “magic carpet” the optical fibers would detect and plot the movement as pressure bends the fibers and changes the light detected at the carpet’s edges. “These deflected light patterns help electronics “learn” walking patterns and detect if they are deteriorating, for instance in the elderly. The researchers’ aim is to address the significant number of falls experienced by the elderly; it is a leading cause of mortality among over-70s.”
And if necessity is the mother of invention, the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) does it’s best to recognize those inventions by spotlighting new tools and programs that benefit elder care. The ALFA 2012 Best of the Best Program to Spotlight recognized a small, lightweight, portable phone device that was originally developed to eliminate the disturbing noise of two-way nurse call radios in Silverado Senior Living’s memory care communities. The device gives staff “all-in-one control over all communication and security systems” and was created when Silverado asked four separate vendors—Code Alert, Emergin, Shoretel, and Ascom—to make existing technologies compatible. Rather than public radio transmissions, the new device allows nurses and staff to have private conversations and send text messages to the team, eliminating the need for multiple responses to calls for assistance as well as receive security alerts instantaneously.
According to ThirdAge.com, several assisted living residences in New Jersey have already installed and incorporated many emerging technologies into their daily routines. As opposed to video monitors, patient-monitoring systems preserve privacy by using “smart sensors” to establish a pattern of patient movements and alert staff of unusual activities. For example, sensors placed under the mattress of patients with dementia could track their sleep patterns or sensors within the walls could track their movements. Once a pattern of behavior is established, dramatic changes in that individual’s regular routine would trigger an alert and the appropriate assistant living center staff would be notified.
Although only a few elder care facilities are currently equipped with cutting-edge technology, many facilities have incorporated affordable technology upgrades, such as elder-friendly computer software programs and Wii systems to keep seniors both mentally and physically active. With the constant advances in technologies, who know what the future will bring.
If the time has come when you or a family member is no longer able to live independently, contact CalRegistry to learn about assisted living services and facilities within California.