Can "Smart Homes" change the future of how older adults live?

Can“Smart Homes”

change the futureof how

older adultslive?

About

Dharmesh Mistry Kate Fleming

Acquia, Inc. DrupalBentleyUsabilityComputer ScienceDesserts, Photography

Liberty MutualBBNTBentleyUsabilityB.F.A Mass. ArtGardener

Twitter: @dcmistry

Agenda

NeedHistoryCurrent PrototypesEmerging DevicesOutlook and ConcernsNext Steps

60 + | 2010

Statistics

80 + | 2050

Statistics

Shift in Aging

“Problems with strength, dexterity, gait and mobility”

“the elderly are far more prone to accidents in the home… with falls presenting the greatest danger”

“often lie injured and undiscovered”

“accidents such as these may lead to decline in self confidence and increasing social isolation”

Other reasons

1

2

3

Other reasons

“the ratio between the non working elderly and the working population is dramatically increasing”

Nursing home? Assisted living? Home Health Care?

1

2

3

[there is a]”…a rapid increase in healthcare costs [beginning] between the ages of 55 and 65 years”

“the average healthcare expenditure per person is currently $2,536/year, but increases almost TENFOLD for those aged 75 years and over ... 25% of the population by 2051”

Emotional, Physical and Financials (personal & civic) benefits of “Aging in place”

Other reasons

1

2

3

History

“Smart House” | 1984 “Rich Assisted Living Environments” | 1991

History

CurrentPrototypes

Aware HomeGeorgia Tech., USA

“creating a home environment that is aware of its occupants’ whereabouts and activities”

“ help them to maintain independence as they age”

“remote monitoring devices that link house sensors with off-site web-connected visual status displays”

and also, peace of mind for …the busy family members who care for them”

Aware HomeGeorgia Tech., USA

Place lab MIT, USA

“the home of today cannot meet… [the] demands of [the home of the future]”

“widespread adoption of digital technologies is leading to profound changes”

[this lab is a place to]“…study…people and their interaction patterns with new technologies and home environments”

Smart homeGator Tech., USA

“an assistive environment for independence and wellbeing, with focus on the elderly population”

[the gator tech smart house] “… is in its second iteration”

[this house]“…integrate system components” to be “easily implement(ed) or extend(ed)”

Smart homeGator Tech., USA

Smart homeGator Tech., USA

EmergingDevices

Paro Japan, USA

Costs about $6,000 USD. About 1,400 Paros are in use around the world, 40 of them reside in US nursing homes.

Certified in 2010 as a class 2 medical device, a “product used in rehabilitation”

Developed 16 years ago, Paro is responsive to voice, sound, light, temperature, posture and touch

In use

Intelligent Toilet

Japan

Measures sugar levels in urine, blood pressure, body fat and weight and is sent to your home computer in form of graphs and charts

Prices begin at $3,500 USD. Over 70% of Japanese household possess this device

In use

Communicating Pill Bottles

USA

Alert system:1.Glow2.Sound3.Text / Call

To refill, button inside the cap to send your order to the pharmacy

Embedded wireless chip alerts you to take medicine when scheduled

In use

Korea, New ZealandCharlieResearch Phase

Checks home for safety and security; both internal and external

Best for houses that have been designed with robotic assistants in mind

Intended to solve the shortage of staff for nursing homes and in-home care

Concerns

Security

Concerns

Adoption

Concerns

Financewho the heck is going to pay for all of this?

Outlook

“Smart Houses” in popular media…generally, not a happy story, even when done by Disney!

What’s next?

MedCottage | Granny Pod

“…supports this idea of family-managed healthcare.  A mobile, modular medical home designed to be temporarily placed on a caregiver’s property for rehabilitation and extended care…a state-of-the-art hospital room with remote monitoring available so caregivers and family members have peace of mind…”

What’s next?

Winner of the Solar Decathlon in Madrid in June 2010

A “…balance [of] design quality, resource conservation and energy efficiency”

Virginia Tech.

Q and A