Smart Sensors Empowering Senior Citizens

IoT devices can track senior’s intake of water and medication, monitor their location, and reduce their market trips by automatically reordering their cleaning supplies and groceries.

FREMONT, CA: After spending most of their lives at home, near family and friends, most of the older people are unwilling to uproot even if daily tasks become difficult for them. According to a study by AARP, more than 85 percent of the participants who were older than 65 expressed their inclination to stay in their own homes. However, almost 2 in 10 Americans who were older than 70 claimed they find it challenging to accomplish everyday tasks on their own.

However, the advancements in technologies such as the internet of things (IoT) can assist the elderly to maintain independence as they age. IoT sensors are turning smaller and smarter. They can track senior’s intake of water and medication, monitor their location, and even cut down their market trips by automatically reordering their cleaning supplies and groceries.

• Medication Reminders

IoT technology can solve one of the most common problems among older citizens—monitoring medicine consumption. Patients often forget to take their medicines on time. They risk not only their health but also increase the risk of hospital visits, thereby burdening the health care systems. Sensor-laced packaging can track the number of pills and send notifications via an app when it’s time to take medicine.

• Smarter and Safer Home

With connected home appliances becoming common, a typical home may contain up to 500 smart devices within the next four years. The sensor-laden gadgets will be connected to the internet. Thus people can control and monitor the devices from their smartphones, irrespective of their position. It will be crucial to seniors who have limited to no movement.

• Replenishing Items of Everyday Use

Apart from safety and health point of view, sensors promise a great deal to assist the seniors with household activities too. Sensor-equipped containers can monitor usage levels and notify the consumers when contents are running low. Manufacturers can equip product packages with sensors that can automatically reorder a product when the contents are almost over. Though such advancements will be beneficial for all, senior citizens will get the maximum value from such services.

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