NEPA Vital Signs - Winter 2019 Spring 2020 - 9

WINTER 2019-2020

Feature

Smart Home Technology
W

e all want our loved ones to age with dignity, yet this is
often a dilemma because age brings health and safety
complications that make it difficult for the elderly
to live on their own. Many elderly individuals find themselves
in assisted living homes or nursing homes for safety or healthcare reasons, despite preferring to live independently. Financial
restraints also influence the quality of care this population
receives, making the quality of life even more variable as we age.
Smart Homes take advantage of the latest technology to allow
seniors to live independently in their preferred home while
allowing medical monitoring and support to the individual at a
low cost. This philosophy is based on the desire for patients to
"age in place," so that even if the individual requires assistance
from caregivers or medical professionals, they can remain in
their preferred personal homes.
Smart Homes can be equipped with whatever that senior needs,
and is customizable to fit the abilities of the individual and the
concerns of their families. Environmental sensors monitor the
home for criminal activity and place an emergency response
system if the senior requires emergent assistance. Geofencing
can be installed with specific "safe zones" to help caregivers
track the patient if the individual is prone to wandering, as in
Alzheimer's disease or Dementia. Additionally, wearable medical
sensors allow for constant and instant monitoring of a patient's
health. Healthcare personnel can give the patients can immediate feedback if they encounter a problem or need to set up
an appointment. More importantly, Smart Homes allow older
patients to maintain their independence and dignity as they age.
The Population Reference Bureau projects that the American
senior population (65 years and older) will be doubling over the
next 40 years. This means that our communities will need to adjust
for a larger senior population. Smart Home technology is an easy
and accessible way for our society to give seniors the quality of life
they deserve, while still maintaining their health and safety.

CECELIA ALLISON is a first year medical student at Geisinger
Commonwealth School of Medicine. Cecelia grew up in the South
Hills of Pittsburgh and graduated from the University of Notre
Dame with majors in Neuroscience and Spanish. In her free time,
she enjoys practicing yoga and traveling to new places.

Allows Aging in Place
N E PA

VITAL SIGNS

NEPA Vital Signs - Winter 2019 Spring 2020

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