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Are you aware of other programs like this Assisted Living Software?
QUESTION: How about a non-political topic for a change--at least I think it is non
political.
We would all like to remain independent for as long as possible. We
would like to not be dependent on our children. When it does become
necessary to resort to "assisted living" costs go up dramatically.
There is research in using Internet technology to not only allow us to
live independently longer, but also to potentially improve our quality
of life. The downside is that it can be quite intrusive.
I've recently become aware of research at the University of Virginia
Medical Automation Research Center. This project, called the Smart
In-Home Monitoring System is described at:
http://marc.med.virginia.edu/projects_smarthomemonitor.html
It is worth visiting the site and reading some of the publications to
understand the scope of this research.
Briefly, the project uses various sensors in the home to monitor the
resident(s). This might be as simple as monitoring water useage or as
complex as monitoring movement including bed movement. They do not use
cameras or other devices that might be too intrusive. The data is fed
into a computer over the Internet and is used to predict potential
health problems. The software that analyses this data then provides
information to care givers, possibly including your doctor.
The technology has evidently come a long way since the "I've fallen and
can't get up" systems of some few years ago. Still, some may consider
it to be too intrusive or a violation of their privacy.
This seems to me to be something that I might want to use someday. My
wife is not so sure and is concerned that it would be too intrusive.
What do you think?
Are you aware of other programs like this?
How far are we from commercial products?
ANSWER: The trend in families since WW II is to streamline and become more mobile.
less kids, less burden, smaller nuclear family. This means that most old
folks no longer live with their children as in the past.
Both places where I live are NORCs. (Naturally Occuring Retirement
Communities). Most people in both places monitor each other, for safety &
health reasons. Maybe a local server for the 700 or so residents of Jekyll
Island has potential.
I feel sorry for the people who havn't sufficient friends and acquantainces
such that they feel more secure by paying someone to monitor them, as in an
assisted living community.
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