The desire of older adults to age in their own homes or communities for as long as possible as they grow older, rather than moving to assisted living facilities or nursing homes is a growing trend. This trend reflects a desire for independence, familiarity, and maintaining connections with their surroundings and communities as they age. A recent AARP survey (2021 Home and Community Preferences Survey) shows that 79% of older adults in the U.S. own their own homes, and about half have paid off their mortgage. This suggests a strong preference for aging-in-place solutions.
This creates a challenge for families and caregivers: how to balance independence with safety?
Advancements in remote monitoring and senior alert systems are addressing this challenge, transforming elder care and telehealth.
IoT platforms like WellAware Care by Bridgera offer remote monitoring solutions for assisted living facilities and home-based senior care. These systems address a critical concern: falls. One in four elderly Americans falls each year, with 20% requiring medical attention and incurring a total annual cost of $67.5 billion. Traditional fall detection devices like wristbands and necklaces often prove inadequate, especially at night.
Innovating Senior Care with Remote Monitoring
WellAware Care by Bridgera envisioned an integrated senior healthcare solution using IoT monitoring systems to address nighttime falls. Sensors would detect movement, triggering automatic lighting to illuminate a path and triggering alarms if inactivity persists beyond a set time.
This system needs to be:
- Reliable: Ensure accurate fall detection and minimize false alarms.
- Versatile: Work in diverse home environments.
- Detailed: Provide remote caregivers with enough information for proper response.
WellAware Care uses off-the-shelf IoT products and smart home appliances to create their “Sleep Sound” solution. However, integrating these components presented a challenge.
Remote Medical Alert Systems with Fall Detection: The WellAware Advantage
Here’s where WellAware Care partnered with Bridgera, an IoT platform provider. Bridgera’s expertise in alert systems for seniors and healthcare applications was instrumental. They built a custom platform that seamlessly integrated Sleep Sound’s various components. This eliminated the need for WellAware to invest heavily in developing its own IoT infrastructure.
With Sleep Sound powered by Bridgera’s cost-effective IoT platform, caregivers can:
- Track seniors’ activity in real-time.
- Receive immediate alerts requiring intervention.
- Maintain seniors’ privacy with thermal cameras (instead of video).
- Promote safe independence with smart home integrations (e.g., automated lighting).
This translates to peace of mind and independence for both seniors and caregivers.
The Future of Remote Senior Care with IoT
The possibilities for senior care monitoring systems are endless. Remote medical alert systems for the elderly can be integrated with telehealth services for a more holistic approach. Imagine a platform that provides caregivers with:
- A real-time patient health dashboard.
- Integration with whole-home smart functionality, including medication reminders, automatic temperature control, and medical device monitoring.
Bridgera’s adaptable IoT platform can make this a reality.
Are you excited about the future of senior care?
If you’re excited by the future of senior care and want to help shape it, get in touch with us today. Or simply request a demo of our powerful IoT platform. Together we can take remote monitoring and senior care services to the next level.
About Author: Joydeep Misra is the Senior Vice President of Technology at Bridgera LLC, specializing in IoT and SaaS. He played a pivotal role in establishing and leading Bridgera’s IoT division, showcasing a dedication to innovation and excellence in the tech field. Additionally, he is an accomplished author and sought-after public speaker.