Technology For Successful Aging
A new hi-tech pill
dispenser could improve the quality of life for the elderly.
At first glance, the blue,
plastic container marked with letters representing the days of the week looks
like an ordinary pill dispenser many people use to keep track of their medication
doses.
The new MedTracker pill dispenser, however. with its seven individually marked
compartments, is so much more than that. When one of the tiny compartments is
opened, a signal is sent wirelessly to a computer system that records medications
taken. What makes the device truly different is that it is an intelligent system
that keeps a record of the medications taken and knows when the person is nearby,
reminding him or her only when the reminder is needed and likely to be effective.
This will of course be useful to the elderly, who may otherwise forget to take important medication. In addition, it can also monitor the patient's progress.
"The data generated by the MedTracker can also be used to recognise if the person has begun to need more assistance with their medication, and may even be helpful in identifying early memory changes", says Tamara Hayes, Ph.D., lead investigator on the MedTracker project.
The intelligent MedTracker pill box is one of a handful of innovative devices researchers are developing to unobtrusively monitor how people go about their day-to-day lives in their homes. The research is being conducted at the Oregon Roybal Centre for Aging & Technology, or ORCATECH, which is a collaboration of academic, industry and community partners.
ORCATECH is currently researching and developing technology to assess how the elderly function in their home environment. The goal is to help them maintain their independence and optimise their health and quality of life by discretely collecting data for intelligent computing systems that can detect changes in health long before they would affect the quality of life of the elders and their carers. The ultimate goal is for the integrated intelligent systems to use the information for health coaching, to encourage physical and mental exercise, and for delivery of health care. The future success of this technology is based on adapting to each individual's situation.
Scientists are creating unique artificial intelligence algorithms that combine information from a variety of sensors and tracking devices placed throughout the homes of the elderly, to assess situations in which mobility or cognition problems may be occurring, and to provide intervention and health coaching to them to assure their health care needs are being met. Their goal is to allow people to live longer, healthier and higher quality lives in their homes.
"We want people to be as independent as possible, as long as possible," said ORCATECH's director, Jeffrey Kaye. "It is very important that the future technology is based on sound principles and solid clinical evidence obtained in longitudinal studies. By bringing together carers, researchers and manufacturers, as well as seniors themselves who will participate in the system design, ORCATECH investigators hope to develop solutions that truly meet the goal of "aging in place."
Have your say...
Be the first to leave your comment.
Send To A Friend
Printer Friendly
Add Page To Favorites
Green Issues With Michael Wale
Apple Lovers
Michael Wale visits a Herefordshire orchard brought back to life by the public.
Spotlight
Meet 50connect's Columnists
From relationship advice to environmental issues; life as an ex-pat living in France and the highs and lows of going back to study; read the latest from our regular contributors.
Bookmark with:
Don’t know what this is?
Read the 50connect Guide To Social Bookmarking.