"Telemedicine" helps older people

Monday, 22 June 2009

The aim of the futuristic "health house" is to ensure that older people at risk from falls and illness can be discreetly monitored to help maintain their independence.

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The idea of "telemedicine" is to help older people continue to lead independent lives but remain safe at the same time, says a report from TimesOnline. At the moment research is underway on a "health house" which will be electronically sophisticated to monitor the blood pressure, weight, risk from falls and other health concerns to ensure the health and safety of older people.

A company in Britain, G E Healthcare and Intel is developing the system whereby sensors are used to monitor behaviour and send warnings when picking up unusual data or disruptions to the usual routine of an individual. Researchers are working on a more sophisticated version of the system, suitable for private homes, that has already been adopted in care homes and used by about 3,000 people.

With available data on hypertension, breathing difficulties and diabetes, as well as on a person's daily routines, the new technology would be able to pick up on and identify small alterations in health that might predict more serious health problems.

Frank Miskelly of the British Geriatric Society welcomed the moves to improve older people's lives and maximise their indepence. He said: "There are 4.7 million people over 75 living in the UK and this figure will continue to rise."

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