Smart diapers, fall detection, lifts, Elder Technology empowers the elderly to live an independent l

The aging and declining working population are major issues facing many advanced countries. The experts from Holland, Japan and Taiwan invited by the "Health" International Trend Forum for Seniors in 2021 "Precise Health, Active and Longevity" all pointed out that the whole world is working hard through design And technology to improve the quality of life of the elderly, empower the elderly to live independently, and fill the gap in the care manpower.

Urinary incontinence is a major problem in elderly care. In the large-scale project "Anders Werken" in the Netherlands, one of the solutions is to put on the "smart diapers" that are equipped with sensors and connected to the App to monitor the elders' diapers at any time. When the absorption of the diaper reaches a certain degree of saturation, the sensor will notify the attendant to replace the diaper for the elderly.

"Is it really necessary to use smart diapers?" Hank Herman, an eHealth expert at the Vilans Long-term Care Professional Center in the Netherlands. Henk Herman Nap is one of the participants of Anders Werken’s project. He said that there have been people who were curious about the necessity of smart diapers, but in fact, incontinence is a problem that takes a lot of time to deal with in the care work. Check Is it time for the elderly to change their diapers? Many times, the elderly feel ashamed and lack privacy.

Hank’s research team made the elderly wear smart diapers, confirming that it can save caregivers’ frequent confirmations and a lot of cleaning work; an organization shared that smart diapers helped them save 12 hours a day and nearly one caregiver’s workload. According to statistics, if smart diapers are used all over the Netherlands, 450 hours can be saved. The caregivers can get enough rest at night, and the privacy of the elders is also taken care of.

To change the scene, the surveillance detector of a long-term photo agency in Japan recorded an elderly demented person getting up in the middle of the night, seeming to go to the toilet, but walking in the opposite direction. In the past, if there was no monitor, the caregiver would probably enter the room directly. Take the elders to the toilet; but through the monitors, it was discovered that the design of the bedside railings allowed the elders to only hold the railings when they got up, but did not have the function of guiding them in the direction of the toilet. If the design of the bedside railings could be changed , Elders can walk in the direction of the toilet by holding on to the railing, go to the toilet by themselves, and increase their self-reliance.

Technology adds life value to the elders 　 self-reliance is the ideal care goal

"This is an opportunity that belongs to technology and digital health, and provides personalized health services," Hank pointed out. The application of technology to elderly care can share the pressure of caregivers and promote the work efficiency of caregivers, which is more important. Yes, technology should be integrated into the general care and care procedures, not just play a supporting role, and at the same time add life value to the elderly, caregivers and supporters.

But he reminded that all technology applications must take into account the limited attention of users, including caregivers, supporters, and the elderly. They have limited time and effort. Therefore, for example, there is no need to design a lot of apps with different functions. Need to make an interface that can integrate all the information.

Japan's nursing center that uses the most intelligent technology, Morikawa Etsuaki, chairman of Good Time Living of Taihe Securities Group, also agrees that it is not enough to care for the elderly and treat the elderly sincerely. The intervention of technology can improve the efficiency and productivity of caregivers.

For example, the Japanese government provides subsidies to develop nursing machines and nursing robots. Some of them have been commercialized to reduce the workload of nursing staff. They can even be used to assist the elderly to go out on their own. It can maintain health by increasing the opportunities for elders’ activities, such as turning a bed into a bed. Wheelchairs, machines to assist the elderly in walking and climbing, portable toilets, and care lifts, etc.

Morikawa Etsuaki emphasized that it is the so-called care that improves daily life and activities by changing the environment. In the past, it was believed that following the steps to help the elders could not do things, "but the fact is that if the elders are able to do it, it is even more important. Giving guidance, this is the role of care.” Technology helps a lot, because the combination of technology and data can tailor training programs for the elderly to achieve self-reliance and enrich the lives of patients.

Technology enters the home 　 temperature always comes from people

In China, science and technology have also been practiced in precise care, and the design of Elder Technology is not only product design, but user-oriented design, the purpose is to enable elders to live independently and increase social participation. The mother of Xu Yeliang, a distinguished professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Yuan Ze University and the director of Xu Xin's welfare science and technology research in the elderly is the best case.

Xu's mother is 84 years old and lives in Taichung. Her children are abroad or in other counties and cities. Although there are foreign caregivers around her, her family still could not grasp her mother's physical condition for the first time. Since the smart care app is installed on the mobile phone of the nursing care, besides the nursing can immediately know that the mother gets up at night to go to the bathroom, and the blood glucose, blood pressure, and even the temperature and humidity of the home environment during the day are measured.

"The product should make the caregiver feel the care of the caregiver." Xu Yeliang said with a smile. Before calling to care about his mother, he often didn't know what to say, but with this health information, the mother-child conversation was much richer and more warm. He also believes that even if technology enters the home, technology will always be a supporting role, and the most important subject is still people. A successful product can be designed based on the user's experience and the elders are willing to use and use it happily.