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Home automation for the elderly and disabled

This form of home automation (called assistive domotics) focuses on making it possible for the elderly and disabled to live at home and still be safe and comfortable. Home automation is becoming a viable option for the elderly and disabled who would prefer to stay in the comfort of their home rather than move to a healthcare facility. . This field uses much of the same technology and equipment as home automation for security, entertainment, and energy conservation but tailors it towards the elderly and disabled.

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Concept

While talking about technology, Microsoft Corporation’s C.E.O. Steve Ballmer once said, “The number one benefit of technology is that it empowers people to do what they want to do. It lets people be creative. It lets people be productive. It lets people learn things they didn't think they could learn before, and so in a sense it is all about potential” (BrainyQuote 2007). Similarly, through new technology, a little creativity, and a lot of thinking, we have begun to produce home automation systems that make it possible for the elderly and disabled to live by themselves and meet their potential. Due to the aging population of the United States measures must be taken in order to provide health care to the elderly. The US Census Bureau has projected that by 2010 13% of the population will be 65 or older (Cheek 2005). The bureau has also projected that by 2030 there will be 9 million Americans older than 85 (Cheek 2005). The aging population has generated a significant interest by the government as well as industry leaders to develop home automation systems for the elderly. Due to the drastic increases in health-care facility costs, more and more elderly people are turning to Smart Homes which allow them to age in place in the comfort of their home. These systems make normal Activities of Daily Living (ADL) possible for the elderly and disabled who would otherwise not be able to live on their own. Smart Homes can most easily be described as “a collective term for information and communication technology in homes where components communicate through a local network” (Cheek 2005). There are two basic forms of home automation systems for the elderly: Embedded Health Systems and Private Health Networks. Embedded Health Systems integrate sensors and microprocessors in appliances, furniture, and clothing which collect data that is analyzed and can be used to diagnose diseases and recognize risk patterns. Private Health Networks implement wireless technology to connect portable devices and store data in a household health database. Due to the need for more healthcare options for the aging population “there is a significant interest from industry and policy makers in developing these technologies” (Eriksson 2002).

Advantages

Home automation is being implemented into more and more homes of the elderly and disabled in order to maintain their independence and safety. These Smart Homes allow the elderly and disabled to stay in their homes where they feel comfortable, instead of moving to a costly health care facility. The transition to a health care facility can cause a lot of anxiety and home automation can either prevent or delay this anxiety (Cheek 2005). For the disabled Smart Homes give them opportunity for independence, which will help them gain confidence and determination. Smart Homes can provide both the elderly and disabled with many different types of emergency assistance systems, security features, fall prevention, automated timers, and alerts. These systems allow for the individual to feel secure in their homes knowing that help is only minutes away. Smart home systems will make it possible for family members to monitor their loved ones from anywhere with an internet connection.

Systems

Home automation for healthcare can range from very simple alerts to lavish computer controlled network interfaces. Some of the monitoring or safety devices that can be installed in a home include lighting and motion sensors, environmental controls, video cameras, automated timers, emergency assistance systems, and alerts.

iControl

One of the basic systems on the market is made by iControl (www.icontrol.com) and is easy to install and expandable (Perry 2005). The system uses wireless technology to transmit signals from the various devices to the iControl Gateway control box which is connected to the internet. Some of the devices the company offers specifically for elderly care include: cameras, window/door sensors, motion sensors, water sensors, freeze sensors, panic pendants/wristwatches, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, lamp modules, and thermostats. All of the devices are connected wirelessly to the control box which then allows the devices to be monitored and controlled using the companies website. The company sells a variety of kits in order to meet your needs starting around $400 (Perry 2005). The starter kit includes a camera, lamp-controller, door or window sensor, motion sensor, and a key chain remote control. Additional devices that are available range in price from $50-170 (Perry 2005). This system is perfect for the elderly because it is easy to use, it allows family members to monitor the house to ensure that their relative is safe, it is portable and can easily be installed in an existing home, and it is affordable.

Matilda

The University of Florida has built a 500 square foot smart house that is designed assist and to provide medical care to Matilda, a life size mannequin (Ascribe 2003). The house implements devices including “a microwave that recognizes entrees and automatically determines how long to cook them” (Ascribe 2003) and devices to track the individuals location within the home. The house also uses devices to detect water on the floor and a camera that allows the person to view who is at the door and let them in using a cell phone. The smart house at the University of Florida relies on a centralized computer network to deliver electronically coordinated assistance” (Ascribe 2003).

Security

In order to maintain the security of the home many home automation systems integrate features such as remote keyless entry systems which will allow seniors to view who is at the door and then remotely open the door. Home networks can also be programmed to automatically lock doors and shut blinds in order to maintain privacy.

Emergency Assistance Systems and Tools

Emergency assistance for the elderly and disabled can be classified into three categories: First, Second, and Third Generation emergency assistance systems or tools (Celler 1999).

First Generation

These systems and tools are very simple and include personal alarm systems and emergency response telephones that do not have to be integrated into a smart home system (Celler 1999). One of these systems is made by the company Senior Safety (www.seniorsafety.com) and consists of a small wireless pendant transceiver that can be worn around the neck or wrist. The system also has a central unit with a loud speaker and microphone that is plugged into a phone jack and an electrical outlet (Senior Safety 2005). When the pendant is activated a 24-hour control center is contacted the individual can communicate with the control center from any room in a house up to 3000 square feet (Senior Safety 2005). The pendant has a lithium-ion battery which lasts up to five years. The central unit has a built in rechargeable battery backup that will call and notify Senior Safety when the battery is running low or if the system has lost power (Senior Safety 2005) The Senior Safety pendant costs between $23 and $30 per month depending on your payment plan.

Second Generation

These systems and tools generate alarms and alerts automatically in the instance that significant changes are observed in vital signs (Celler 1999). These systems are most likely fully integrated within a home network. One example of this type of system is available from Medtronic Inc. that allows doctors to monitor their patients at home. This system consists of an antenna that a patient holds over their implanted cardiac device that transmits data to a monitor (Medtronic 2005). The data can then be downloaded and viewed by the patient’s physician over a telephone line using the companies secure network (Medtronic 2005). All of the collected data can be accesses by the patient through Medtronic’s website so that they can view their personal health record as well as allow access to their family members. Another example of this type of system is a Smart Shirt which should be available to the public this year and will be worn by a patient to measure the wearer's heart rate, electrocardiogram results, respiration, temperature, and a host of vital functions, alerting the wearer or physician if there is a problem (Bowie 2000).

Third Generation

These types of systems would help the elderly and disabled deal with loneliness and depression by connecting them with other elderly or disabled individuals through the internet (Celler 1999). This type of interaction will greatly benefit the elderly who are usually isolated in their homes (Cheek 2005).

Reminder Systems

Home automation systems may have automatic reminder systems which can remind the elderly individual of important information (Cheek 2005). Reminder systems are connected to the internet and announce the reminders over an intercom system that is easily heard by the homeowner. The automatic reminders can include doctor’s appointments and medicine reminders, as well as reminders to perform basic functions around the house such as turn off the stove, shut the blinds, lock the doors, etc. Users may decide what activities they would like to have reminders associated with. If the user would prefer the system can be set up to automatically perform tasks based on the behavior of the user. The system can automatically turn on lights and increase the temperature in specific areas of the house when the inhabitant enters the room. Several different reminder systems exist to help a patient (at home or out and about) to remember to take their medicine on time and correctly (example e-pill CADEX 12 alarm wristwatch with text message and medical alert). These reminder devices may also be used to remind an elderly or disabled to perform everyday task (example eat lunch, walk a dog).

Some communities offer free telephone reassurance services ^[1] to residents, which includes both safety check calls as well as reminders. These services have been credited with saving the lives of many elderly and senior citizens who choose to remain at home.[1].

Medication Dispensing

Smart homes can implement medication dispensing devices in order to ensure that necessary medications are taken at appropriate times (Cheek 2005). Automated pill dispensers can dispense only the pills that are to be taken at that time and are locked; versions are available for Alzheimer’s patients that have a lock on them (Cheek 2005). For diabetic patients a talking glucose monitor allows the patient to check their blood sugar level and take the appropriate injection (Cheek 2005). Digital thermometers are able to recognize a fever and alert physicians. Blood pressure and pulse monitors dispense hypertensive medications when needed.

Home robotics

Domestic robots, connected to the domotic network, are included to perform or help in household chores. Dedicated robots included robots helping to administer medications and alerting a remote caregiver if the patient is about to miss his or her medicine dose (oral or no-oral medications).

Opposition

The recent advances made in tailoring home automation toward the elderly have generated opposition. It has been stated that “Smart home technology will be helpful only if it is tailored to meet the individual needs of each patient” (Cheek 2005). This currently creates a problem because many of the interfaces designed for home automation “are not designed to take functional limitations, associated with age, into consideration” (Cheek 2005). Another problem that has been presented involves making the system user-friendly for the elderly who often have difficult operating electronic devices. The cost of the systems has also present a challenge, because although the systems would be cheaper than the costs of a long-term health care facility, the U.S. government currently provides no assistance to seniors who choose to install these systems (in some countries as Spain the Dependency Law includes this assistance).

The biggest opposing argument which has been expressed by possible users of smart home technology is the “fear of lack of human responders or the possible replacement of human caregivers by technology” (Cheek 2005), but assistive domitocs can be seen as a help that doesn't fully replace human care.

References

^ Senior Care and Safety Check. Garland County Sheriff's Department. Retrieved on 2007-12-16.