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