Smart Home Technology for Aging


	AN ELECTRONIC ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING REPORTING SYSTEM THAT GATHERS AND REPORTS DATA ON ELDERS’ IN-HOME ACTIVITIES TO HELP GAUGE THEIR WELL-BEING
	R.E. Roush, D.M. Kutzik, A.P. Glascock., G.E. Boyajian. Texas Consortium of Geriatric Education Centers, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, rroush@bcm.tmc.edu; Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut, Philadelphia, PA 19104, DKutzik@aol.com and Anthony.Philip.Glascock@drexel.edu; Living Independently Inc
	767 Third Avenue, 20th Floor, New York NY 10017, boyajian@livingindependently.com.
	Gerontechnology literature reveals a variety of high-tech approaches to gauge the well-being of older people. Ranging from expensive "smart homes" to more cost-effective, simpler microprocessor-based systems, all are designed to help elders gain independence and to remain in their own homes longer than they might otherwise. The approach described in this paper is an unobtrusive, electronic activities of daily living reporting system (e-ADLRS). This system gathers data on the routine activities of elders -- e.g., getting out of bed, going to the bathroom, preparing meals, taking medications -- without altering the elders' normal behavior. e-ADLRS establishes a baseline on elders’ routine activities and denotes any marked variations that may signal deterioration in function and health that could result in unnecessary institutionalization in a hospital or other care facility. Simple wireless motion sensors, along with a small computerized receiver, are used to collect data that are then analyzed and posted to a secure central web site for viewing by the client. Clients -- usually the adult children of frail elders living alone and at a distance, as well as LTC personnel -- can be sent reports or alerts daily in the form of e-mail or phone calls. Presenters will report findings from focus groups and from data on the early use of this proprietary system developed by Living Independently; discuss indications for e-ADLRS; and reveal a range of benefits, including heightened feelings of security, to elders and their caregivers. Program model aspects and policy implications will also be discussed, especially those pertaining to how such systems can be offered across the range of elders’ incomes.
	Summary -- This gerontechnology system gathers and uploads to a secure Web site data on the routines of elders in their places of residence. Clients, usually an adult child of the elder in question,-- can be informed daily about baseline activities and any marked deviation from baseline that may signal a deterioration in function that calls for some intervention.