Words Candy G. Villanueva
Elixirs of Jade, radioactive waters, breath of virgins, goat testicle transplants, crushed dog gonads, and the Holy Grail - these are just some of the things that men have sought in their quest for infinitude. The search for longevity has consumed us mere mortals since the beginning of time. Unfortunately, in spite of the advancement of medicine and technology, we are no closer to living forever. As Leonard Hayflick, professor of anatomy at the University of California, bluntly puts it, "There is no intervention that has been proven to slow, stop, or reverse aging. Period." However, this does not mean that we should accept our fate and succumb to wrinkles, memory loss, and poor bladder control. We may not be able to stop aging, but we can at least age gracefully.
Thanks to technology, aging gracefully now means more than just spouting words of wisdom and counting gray hairs. Aging gracefully also means living happy, comfortable, and productive lives. This means improved health care, the preservation of independence and dignity, and quality life for senior citizens. Presently, the Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST) in Washington DC is developing and deploying technologies to improve the aging experience. With reputable companies like General Electric, Hewlett-Packard, Honeywell, Intel, Motorola, Philips Medical Systems, and Viterion, several prototypes are presently being tested in labs, and numerous innovations are on their way to make life easier for the senior folks. "These technologies could empower seniors to live with
dignity wherever they want for as long as they like," said Eric Dishman, chairman of CAST and director of Proactive Health Research at Intel.
Perhaps one of the worst effects of aging is memory loss. Misplacing one's false teeth may be forgivable, but overdosing because one cannot keep track of whether he or she has taken a pill can be more than unforgivable - it can be fatal. Georgia Institute of Technology recognizes this concern and developed the "smart picture frame." It hangs quietly on grandpa's wall, keeping track of the objects he moved around the house and reminding him when he last took his medication or fed his goldfish. The smart picture works as a reminder panel that displays the elder's history of moving different objects around the house. It can also be an "Internet picture frame" for caregivers to keep track of the senior citizen's physical activity from a remote location.
Similarly, GE Security designed a Home Assurance Program that allows remote monitoring through wireless sensors and the monitoring technology of the GE Personal Emergency Response System. With connectivity made possible by new communication technologies and web-based systems, GE aims to create solutions for independent living for the aged. These solutions are seamlessly integrated into the home without being obtrusive. Daily activities can be monitored then channelled to a web-based system that provides alerts, alarms, reminders, and notifications. Honeywell invented a similar solution called the Independent Lifestyle Assistant monitoring system (ILSA). The ILSA transforms the home into an intelligent and supportive environment for the older adult. It employs sensors to monitor daily activities, artificial intelligence to make judgments, and multiple communication devices, including touch-screen devices, to connect senior citizens to their caregivers or families.
For Alzheimer patients, Intel created a computer screen phone and home network that helps patients remember names and faces. This technology also allows them to recall who they have spoken to, when they last spoke, and even what they discussed. Other groups like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have come up with wearable and home-based sensors that can help aging people remain independent and healthy. For instance, they developed portable wireless sensors that detect emergency health problems in everyday activities. Watch-like sensors communicate with a mobile computer in real time. Small and comfortable to use, these sensors can motivate healthy behaviors from the wearers.
The Oregon Health Sciences University is devoting its efforts on rest and sleep.
The university came up with intelligent beds that offer more than sweet dreams and sound slumbers. Intelligent beds track sleep patterns and weight to detect illnesses. It also prevents grandma from falling by turning on and off lights when she gets up at night. Similar fall systems were also developed by the Sears Methodist Retirement System. They also spent sleepless nights on biometric sensors and automated medication dispensers. University of Michigan, on the other hand, offers robots to assist grandparents.
There's also the health wizard, Chester the Pill, a smart chair, and sensors to diagnose gait anomalies and monitor falls. Older adults also need not be deprived of recreation and entertainment. Video games have been created to keep the seniors' gnarly hands busy and at the same time track their speed and dexterity to detect neurological diseases. This is just the start of a whole new-aging experience. With mobile technology, advancements in medicine, web-based
solutions, sensors, artificial intelligence, and robotics, the possibilities are endless. Grandmas and grandpas no longer have to worry about being confined to their rocking chairs and relying on their cats for company. Growing old no longer has to equate to immobility and worthlessness. With these technologies, anything, except for the Holy Grail, may just be within reach for the older folks.
