Wearable Technologies that Keep You Independent

Did you know that around half of people 75 and older live alone? The boomer generation loves to be independent – and are grateful for anything that helps them keep an active lifestyle in their own homes. To continue our exploration of technologies that help seniors in their fight for independence, this week we want to focus on wearable technologies.

Wearable technology refers to a device that is worn by a user. These devices can come in the form an accessory (such as a watch or a necklace) or an article of clothing (such as a hat or shoe). The two most common types of wearable technologies are activity monitors and personal emergency response systems.

Activity monitors, such as Fitbit and UP by Jawbone, record things like how much you move, sleep, and eat every single day. These monitors are great for those who are trying to make positive changes in their diet and exercise regimes. For seniors who are serious about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, an activity monitor can help you reach your goals. Most activity monitors connect and sync with your smartphone or computer so you can keep track of your progress. Many will even connect with your friends and family through your social media apps so that you can work together to make improvements.

Personal emergency response (PER) systems have evolved from a pendant that a user can push when in trouble to devices with the capability to save lives. New PER systems, such as the UnaliWear's Kanega smartwatch, no longer need to be connected a home based system - meaning that they work wherever you may be. Many are voice controlled, eliminating the need to find the right button in the middle of an emergency. You simply talk to the watch and the voice activated emergency assistance will dispatch the appropriate assistance. These new PERs can even be programmed to detect emergency situations without voice activation - such as reporting lack of movement. Other features include a built-in GPS (for when you get lost) and medication reminders.

Of course, while both activity monitors and PER systems have many great features, they do not provide preventative care. And as reports show, the intervention that happens in order to prevent a visit to the hospital is key to keeping seniors independent. Luckily there are companies who are focused on bringing this next level of service to seniors.

One of these new devices is the HealthPatch MD. Equipped with a electronic biosensor, this device can detect your heart rate (including patterns), breathing problems, skin temperature, stress, sleep quality and other signs of potential medical issues. The patch attaches to your chest like a band aid and provides several days of continuous monitoring on just one charge. All the information is sent to a smartphone via a Bluetooth (which is encrypted according to HIPAA regulations), which can be checked by loved ones or your physician. And this patch is just the tip of the iceberg. Scripps Health is currently developing nano-sensors that can travel the bloodstream and send messages to a smartphone, alerting the user of signs of infection or other cardiovascular issues. Can you imagine your phone warning you of an impending heart attack?

These new types of wearable technology are full of exciting possibilities. Not only can they help you stay active in your daily life, but they have the potential to help you avoid major health complication, hospitalizations and independence-stealing setbacks. And we simply can’t wait to see what these devices will be able to do in the future!

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