Gerontology & Geriatric Research

THE USE OF MOBILE TECHNOLOGY TO INCREASE INDEPENCENCE AMONG ELDERLY

4^th International Conference on Geriatrics & Gerontological Nursing

October 3-4, 2016 | London, UK

Marie Sjolinder, and Emanuel Vedefors

aSICS Swedish ICT, Sweden
bVeprox AB, Sweden

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Gerontol Geriat Res

Abstract:

With a growing number of elderly, technology can in many ways support independence and increase quality of life. The social alarm area has until recent years remained the same, but with digitalisation and mobile communications new possibilities have arisen. Home-based social alarms have become digital. They are more reliable and they have possibilities to add functionalities such as sensors detecting fall or sensors detecting lack of activity. The rapid growth of the mobile networks has led to a number of services that can support safety and security outdoors, and many of these services are targeted towards elderly people. However, there is still a need for social alarms that work well booth indoors and outdoors ant that in an easy way can provide additional services adapted to the user at hand. Based on experience from both research and development in the social alarm area, we suggest a new solution that can be adjusted and adapted to a variety of user needs and different usage situations. Safety and independence are achieved by combining the technical advantages of the smartphone with sensors, smart reminders and analysis of Big data. This will enable efficient e-health services, that are based on real user needs and will provide proactive support, in contrast to the current more reactive ways of care. Information can easily be shared between health care professionals, assistants and relatives and will contribute to self-help in everyday life.