While recent
events and the development of technology have made many concerned about surveillance
and the invasion of privacy, many senior citizens are voluntarily being
monitored to stay at their home longer, and to maintain their independence.
Monitoring
technologies designed for seniors offer many benefits. For example, when
cameras and motion sensors notice something out of ordinary, like when the
senior forgets to take pills on time, a text message will be sent to the
caregiver, who can then contact the senior and check on them. Service providers
hope that this would allow seniors to preserve their autonomy as much as
possible, while alleviating the concerns of family members on their wellbeing.
The cost of
such system is also quite attractive, with a monthly fee of around $150 – much cheaper
than the cost of nursing homes, which is about $2300 per month.
This is
certainly an interesting use and a benefit of surveillance that I’ve never
thought of. If some regulations can be established regarding this area, I think
it will have a very promising market, and will greatly relieve the stress on
our health system in terms of palliative care.
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Yes, this is an interesting and growing area. We have had remote monitoring for quite a while, albeit at a more primitive level. The Ontario Telemedicine Network (for instance) has home monitoring programs for seniors. Typically the data feeds are reviewed by a nurse or physician, since they have fiduciary duties and obligations of confidentiality.
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