According to an AARP report, nearly 90 percent of people prefer to stay in their own home for as long as possible or as what gerontologist refers to as aging in place (Farber, Shinkle, Lynott, Fox-Grage, & Harrell, 2011). While the desire is there, a myriad of obstacles can prevent seniors from staying in their own homes. Health issues arise from the natural effects of aging and chronic diseases. This can contribute to declines in flexibility and balance affecting an elderly person’s ability to get around and carry on the both the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). A fall resulting in a broken hip can terminate an older person’s independence and lead to the need of long-term care in a nursing
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However, new assistive technologies allow many of these observations to be done remotely, allowing the senior to remain in their own home. Various chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, Diabetes II, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can benefit from such monitoring. For seniors age 70 and above more than 80 percent have at least one chronic disease with some 50 percent having multiple health problems (Hooyman & Asuman, 2011, p. 122). The need for a way to monitor the health status of an older person living at home is evident. Devices to use at home to test blood pressure and glucose levels have been around a number of years; however, their ease of use has improved as the years advanced. Early as 2010 new “smart” technologies such as iCare: A Mobile Health Monitoring System for the Elderly were being developed at the School of Software, Dalian University of Technology in China. This system was being designed to use smart phones and wireless body sensors to aid in tracking physiological data for real time heath monitoring remotely. This quickly improves response time when the system is alerted to medical emergencies and aids in remotely, providing data for caretakers (Ziyu, Feng, Guowei, Lin, & Zhikui, 2010). High tech whole houses …show more content…
However, even low-tech mechanisms such as guardrails, ramps, and grab bars in homes instituted by universal design enable the older person less limitations in mobility (Hooyman & Asuman, 2011, p. 473-474). The more mobile a senior citizen can be by using these simple devices, more likely they can remain in their home. About 10 percent of people over 65 use canes to assist their mobility and 4.6 percent use walkers (Kaye HS, 2000). These devices are also starting to employ smart technology that should further assist an older person’s ability to age in place. A Japanese company, Fujitsu, has developed a smart walking stick with navigation along with some health monitoring features that should aid in an elderly person’s ability to get out carrying on some of the IADL like shopping for oneself (Worthington, 2013). Walkers are also advancing from the days of the classic walker with tennis balls on the rear legs. The smart technology will enable the new generation of walkers to not only offer physical support, but also aid in sensorial assistance detecting obstacles along with GPS navigation and more health monitoring (Frizera, Ceres, Pons, Abellanas, & Raya, 2008). Along with universal design and new smart tech mobility devices, elderly people have more opportunities to enhance their mobility to
However, new assistive technologies allow many of these observations to be done remotely, allowing the senior to remain in their own home. Various chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, Diabetes II, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can benefit from such monitoring. For seniors age 70 and above more than 80 percent have at least one chronic disease with some 50 percent having multiple health problems (Hooyman & Asuman, 2011, p. 122). The need for a way to monitor the health status of an older person living at home is evident. Devices to use at home to test blood pressure and glucose levels have been around a number of years; however, their ease of use has improved as the years advanced. Early as 2010 new “smart” technologies such as iCare: A Mobile Health Monitoring System for the Elderly were being developed at the School of Software, Dalian University of Technology in China. This system was being designed to use smart phones and wireless body sensors to aid in tracking physiological data for real time heath monitoring remotely. This quickly improves response time when the system is alerted to medical emergencies and aids in remotely, providing data for caretakers (Ziyu, Feng, Guowei, Lin, & Zhikui, 2010). High tech whole houses …show more content…
However, even low-tech mechanisms such as guardrails, ramps, and grab bars in homes instituted by universal design enable the older person less limitations in mobility (Hooyman & Asuman, 2011, p. 473-474). The more mobile a senior citizen can be by using these simple devices, more likely they can remain in their home. About 10 percent of people over 65 use canes to assist their mobility and 4.6 percent use walkers (Kaye HS, 2000). These devices are also starting to employ smart technology that should further assist an older person’s ability to age in place. A Japanese company, Fujitsu, has developed a smart walking stick with navigation along with some health monitoring features that should aid in an elderly person’s ability to get out carrying on some of the IADL like shopping for oneself (Worthington, 2013). Walkers are also advancing from the days of the classic walker with tennis balls on the rear legs. The smart technology will enable the new generation of walkers to not only offer physical support, but also aid in sensorial assistance detecting obstacles along with GPS navigation and more health monitoring (Frizera, Ceres, Pons, Abellanas, & Raya, 2008). Along with universal design and new smart tech mobility devices, elderly people have more opportunities to enhance their mobility to