Devices, Tools, Objects (p1):
Devices, Tools, Objects relating to better quality life as grow older.
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Featured Guides & Reports: Devices, Tools, Objects
Medical Alert Systems: Help!
We kept getting asked "which medical alert system is best?"; and "how do I choose the right medical alert system for me?". This independent, objective, hands-on research tries to answer those questions. If you are looking for a medical alert system, either for yourself or for an older adult such as a parent, this piece of research is for you.
Caring from Afar: Guide to Home Sensor Systems
Read our report on this new category of products, designed to help seniors stay at home longer, and to help their families worry about them less. There are important lessons to be learned about which ones work, and for which types of circumstance they are optimal.
Can Alexa Help Fight Isolation and Loneliness?
Perhaps it seems counterintuitive that an artificial intelligence(AI) might help combat isolation and loneliness. But as our Longevity Explorers evaluate the latest version of Alexa, paired with the Amazon Echo Show, which has an excellent video call capability, we are starting to see great potential for these products to do just that.
And while there are a variety of initiatives evaluating the potential of interactions between older adults and Alexa (Amazon's artifical intelligence) as a way to reduce loneliness, we think the communication capabilities of the Echo Show may make possible deeper human to human interactions (with friends and family for example) as well.
What They Want vs What You Think They Need
I've said it before. Most of the products for older adults that we see are frankly not very good. This article is about two especially common pitfalls. I think of them as the "eat your broccoli" error, and the "I know how to market to 40 year olds" issue.
Medication Management Systems: Which?
"Good" medication management is widely believed to be desirable, by older adults as well as by clinicians. This article is about what factors make medication management systems useful for a given person, and outlines a series of circumstances for which specific features of these products can be helpful. Think of this as a "how to get started" guide to the topic of medication management systems.
Sensors, Dementia, Safety: Real World Experiences
Using a handful of simple, non-intrusive sensors, retired engineer Bob Glicksman has been able to learn all sorts of important things about the daily routine of an elderly person, who has cognitive impairment, and for whom he cares. He has been able to make multiple successful interventions to stave off what might have otherwise been serious adverse events. In fact, this simple sensor setup has worked better than he expected, and he shares his experiences, as an example of a real world use case in which a small addition of technology can accomplish a lot.
Alzheimer's Thermostat Design: Jeeves vs. Nurse Ratched
Remember Jeeves, and Nurse Ratched? Imagine they were in charge of designing products for older adults. I wish we had the sort of products I imagine Jeeves would have designed for Bertie Wooster. Unfortunately, we seem to get the products Nurse Ratched might have dreamed up for the unfortunate inmates of "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest".
Lighted Magnifier: Read menus in dim light
Reading under poor lighting conditions is a common problem, not only for reading menus, but also for reading in bed, or seeing small type in a poorly lit space. What is needed is some type of lighted magnifier. There are four categories of solutions for this common problem. The pro’s and con’s of each solution are detailed below, as well as in the individual product listings we link to.
Apple Watches Help Monitor Elders' Health
One of our SRC Explorers is an enthusiastic Apple Watch owner, and presents to the group about the features he likes.
The Conversation: End of Life Wishes, Providence
In Part 1 of our "End of Life" discussion, Beth Levow, a volunteer with the “The Conversation Project”, explains the resources this Boston-based non-profit program offers to enable conversations about one’s wishes for end-of-life care with family members, friends, physicians, and others. .........Read more
SF Explorers use Amazon Echo Show to Reach Across the Country
The San Francisco Explorers participate in a cross country video call demonstration of the use of an Amazon Echo Show. .........Read more
I Want to Do My Own Driving Evaluation
Explorer Ron frames the question: "How does one decide whether or not to continue driving?" Should it be one's self, or someone else? .........Read more
Explorers Conceptualize a Better Grabber
In this fun brainstorming session, explorers conceptualize in detail a more versatile 'reacher-grabber' tool than those which are currently available. .........Read more
Rosalie Sings the Praises of Amazon's Alexa
Explorer Rosalie reports to the group on her experience from Amazon's first Echo and newer products and Alexa skills, including "Let's Chat". .........Read more
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CallToU Caregiver Call Button
CallToU is a wireless call system intended for indoor use to alert the intended helper that assistance is needed by the user.
Bemer Vascular Therapy Products
Bemer products are intended to produce beneficial health effects by stimulating the vascular system in the smallest blood vessels.
Zinger Chair
The Zinger Chair is a mobility device designed to be more agile and portable than standard wheelchairs.
EZ Lite Cruiser Portable Mobility Device
The EZ Lite CruiserR Portable Mobility Device is a folding power wheel chair designed to be taken by travelers on air and cruise lines.
FallCall Lite
FallCall Lite is an iOS software based system including the Apple Watch, iPhone and Homepod intended to serve as a monitoring system with voice activation capability.
UPWalker Upright Walker
The UPWalker upright walker is a rollator with elevatable lower arm support and upright handles intended to allow the user to stand upright during use.
FamilyGram
FamilyGram is an iPhone app intended to connect family or friends and to foster connections via a private social network.
Trendoux Touchscreen Gloves
Trendoux touchscreen winter gloves include conductive pads at finger and thumb tips intended to allow the wearer to operate touchscreen devices without having to remove the gloves.
Readeo
Readeo is a subscription service consisting of a combination of an app with hardware intended to enable the pages of a story to appear on the computer screen, and for persons separated by distance to see, hear and talk to one another through video chat windows at the bottom of the screen.
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