Bridging the Technological Divide

Seniors are becoming internet savvy at an increasingly rapid rate. Last year Nielsen reported that nearly 18 million seniors were actively using the internet, up 55% over a five year period. They are searching, buying, emailing, and networking. However, what about the 22 million seniors who are not using the internet?  Many are unwilling or unable to use a computer but would benefit from the sense of connection that email and other networking services provide.

Imagine if family members could send “thinking of you” messages to their parent or grandparents, and share pictures from the latest vacation or get together—all without their loved one having to own a computer.  It would be a great thing right?

A company called Presto has a product which does just that—users can receive email and pictures without the use of a computer or internet connection. Presto does this through the use of a printer and a mail service, which converts emailed messages and photos into printable letters. These letters can then be dressed up and personalized with colorful templates. The printer can be connected to an existing phone line and can be set up to retrieve and print messages up to five times per day. And there isn’t any limit to the number of messages and photos one can send.

Besides being a great way to share family updates and pictures, it also can serve as a reminder service. From the company’s PrestoConnect webpage users can schedule one-time or recurring reminders for appointments, medications, or whatever. For those grandkids who increasingly use Facebook to share pictures, Presto’s DailySmile service allows users to automatically email selected photos to their loved one once a day.

At $49.95 the printer itself is surprisingly affordable. The mail service starts at $12.50 per month if you sign up for a year ($149.99). However, they also offer a month to month subscription for $14.99. Presto does not require a contract and those enrolled in the annual plan can receive a pro-rated refund for the unused portion of the subscription should they wish to discontinue service. There is also a 60-day risk free guarantee.

In today’s increasingly cellular world it is nice to see products that can help bridge those technological divides and bring families closer together.

 

Robotic Suits to Transform Caregiving

An elderly man who has been unable to walk for years now enjoys a morning stroll through the park. Across town, a daughter carries her mother to the bathtub unassisted. While this sounds like a preview for a new science fiction series on elder care, these scenarios may mirror reality in the very near future.

Cyberdyne, a Japanese research and development company, has officially launched its human exoskeleton called HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb). The company’s President, Yoshiyuki Sankai, developed HAL as a response to Japan’s aging population and to help those who are paralyzed or suffering from degenerated muscles.

Originally showcased in 2005, HAL works by detecting and responding to muscle impulses from the user’s brain. The complete exoskeleton weighs 50 pounds, is battery powered, and able to operate for up to 5 hours. The latest version can be used to carry heavy objects, multiplying the user’s strength by up to 10 times. This could have enormous implications for eldercare in home and institutional settings. The lower portion of HAL can be used independently for those who have difficulty or are unable to walk.

Mr. Sankai sees many practical uses outside of health care including the heavy labor industries, rescue support, and entertainment. For now, HAL is primarily being used in rehabilitation clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes. HAL was recently introduced at 37 medical facilities across Japan.

Currently HAL can only be purchased in Japan but the company has opened offices in Europe and they expect it to become available in the United States over the next couple of years. HAL is rumored to cost around $4200 to buy or $1000 a month to rent, which seems surprisingly affordable compared to competing technologies.

Interest in nursing robotics is growing, with companies such as Canon and Panasonic making large investments in the space. Exoskeletons are likely a ways off from being available to the masses; however, they have the potential to transform caregiving for the better. And what would the next generation of exoskeletons look like? Think nanotechnology–a micro exoskeleton that works in the fabric of your clothes. That’s our prediction. Now the only question is timing.

Caregiver Cottages: Bringing Your Loved Ones Home

When Barack Obama’s mother in law moved into the White House last year, it brought much-needed attention to America’s multigenerational families. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2008 there were an estimated 49 million Americans, or 16% of the population, living in households with three or more generations, up 33% since 1980. This jump is attributed to a number of factors including the economic downturn and the overall aging of our population.

While Marian Robinson moved into the White House to help care for Barack and Michelle’s two children, many multigenerational families are the result of aging parents who need additional assistance and care. One of the first dilemmas these families confront is that of space or lack thereof. Privacy also comes into play, as well as how the arrangement will change the family dynamic. All the while, families want to keep their loved ones as independent as possible for as long as possible.

There are solutions that allow your loved one(s) to live close at hand, while maintaining privacy and independence.  Considering the average cost of a nursing home stay can reach over $70,000 annually or nearly $6,000 a month, these options may be more cost effective. Be that as it may, the alternatives listed below are not for every family. The decision to move mom or dad home is one of the most biggest eldercare decisions a family can make. Accordingly, it should not be taken lightly.

MED Cottage: Med Cottage is a small mobile home that can be temporarily placed on the caregiver’s property. The Med Cottage is nearly 300 square feet and comes equipped with many high-tech assistive features including motion sensors, floor-level video cameras, as well as other remote monitoring capabilities, a smart pill dispenser, a virtual companion, and a lift to help move occupants. Med Cottage can be leased for between $1,500 and $2,000 a month or bought for $75,000. Potential buyers should research zoning requirements in their state and make sure Med Cottage is compliant. N2Care, the company that makes Med Cottage, expects to be able to start processing orders sometime in 2011. For more information go to www.medcottage.com or to watch a video click here:

Sidekick Homes: For another detached cottage-style option, consider Sidekick Homes, which designs and constructs backyard cottages that blend with the existing and neighborhood architecture. These living units are specifically designed for those with limited abilities. Sidekick offers standard and custom home designs. Homes usually take about 6 months to complete and models range from $75,000 to $200,000 for the structure itself, plus the cost of foundation/basement, utilities, and site work. For more information go to www.kephartliving.com.

Next Door Garage Apartments: Next Door Garage Apartments (NDGA) are temporary apartment units that are constructed inside a standard two car garage. A complete conversion can be done in 10 days and NDGA will convert it back to a garage when the unit is no longer needed. The apartments come with a private entry, living room, dining room and bedroom area, plus all necessary appliances. Utilities are hooked up to the primary home, but the temperature can be regulated separately. For buyers who reside within 200 miles of Indianapolis, Indiana, the cost is $35,000. For those living elsewhere, the cost is $35,000 and a percentage depending on where you live. The extra percentage ranges from 5% to 25%. For more information go to www.nextdoorgarageapartments.com and to watch a video, click here: http://nextdoorgarageapartments.com/nextdoor.swf

Transform Caregiver Stress with HeartMath’s EmWave

It’s no secret that caregiving can take a huge toll on the caregiver, both emotionally and physically. Added to which, caregivers often face financial difficulties which compound an already stressful situation. Over time, these effects can have devastating consequences as the following statistics on family caregivers show:

• Caregivers report having a chronic condition at more than twice the rate of non-caregivers.¹

• Caregivers who are caring for a spouse 36 or more hours a week are more than six times likely to experience symptoms of depression or anxiety than non-caregivers. ²

• Caregivers experiencing extreme stress have been shown to age prematurely, taking as much as 10 years off a caregiver’s life. ³

• Elderly spousal caregivers with a history of chronic illness themselves who are experiencing caregiving related stress have a 63% higher mortality rate than their non-caregiving peers. ⁴

These statistics show that family caregivers must take steps to reduce the stress in their lives. Exercise, a healthy diet, a good night’s sleep, and regular doctor visits can go a long way; however, there are also certain stress control technologies that caregivers should be aware of.

A company called HeartMath has an award-winning product called the emWave Personal Stress Reliever (PSR), which is designed to help users manage their body’s response to stress, anxiety, and anger and improve emotional resilience. The emWave PSR is a small, hand-held device that shows how stress is effecting you body through subtle changes in heart rhythms. It helps you shift from a mode of stress to a state called coherence.

Coherence is a mental, emotional, and physical state that people experience when their heart, brain, and nervous system are working efficiently and harmoniously. Effectively, they are in-sync or in the “zone”.  When people are in this state, they will experience improved energy and less stress, something all caregivers could benefit from. Users can reach this state through HeartMath’s Quick Coherence technique which focuses on heart-centered breathing and good feelings. With practice, users can shift into coherence at will and better control stressful situations. Overall, frequent users report a reduction in stress, higher energy levels, greater mental clarity, enhanced emotional balance and listening ability, and better, more restful sleep.

HeartMath also offers emWave Desktop software, which collects data through a pulse sensor that plugs into the computer. Users can view their heart rhythm changes in real-time and track and store their progress. The program includes interactive games designed to help reach coherence as well as an Emotion Visualizer, which emits varying degrees of color and movement as you adjust your emotional state and coherence level.

The emWave PSR costs $199 and includes the unit, an ear sensor, and a Coherence Coach CD. The Desktop software costs $299 and comes with a software CD, USB module and pulse sensor, and a practice plan. HeartMath does provide a 30-day no risk guarantee. Readers can learn more by going to www.heartmath.com.

As a caregiver one of the most important things you can do for both yourself and your loved one is to find ways to effectively manage stress and anxiety. HeartMath’s emWave seems like a great place to start!

For an overview of the emWave PSR check out this video:

Or for the Desktop Software watch this video:

¹ Source- Health and Human Services, Informal Caregiving: Compassion in Action. Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services. Based on data from the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH), 1998 and the National Family Caregivers Association, Random Sample Survey of Family Caregivers, Summer 2000, Unpublished and National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, Caregiving in the U.S., 2004

² Source – Elissa S. Epel, Dept of Psychiatry, Univ of Calif, SF, et al, From the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Dec 7, 2004, Vol 101, No. 49

³ Source – Schulz, R. and Beach, S. R., Caregiving as a Risk Factor for Mortality: The Caregiver Health Effects Study. Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 282, No. 23, December 15, 1999

⁴ Source – Cannuscio, C.C., C. Jones, I. Kawachi, G.A. Colditz, L. Berkman and E. Rimm, Reverberation of family illness: A longitudinal assessment of informal caregiver and mental health status in the nurses’ health study. American Journal of Public Health 92:305-1311, 2002

iPhone Apps for Caregivers

Apple is very effective at increasing the number of applications, or apps, which do everything from provide entertainment to aid in business dealings. The iPhone currently has over 200,000 apps, some of which, albeit too few, are designed to help caregivers. Below we have highlighted some of the more popular choices available today.

CareConnector

Designed for “caregivers on the go,” CareConnector is operated by the Johnson & Johnson Caregiver Initiative.  The free app can be used on the iPhone or iPod touch and includes the following: a Care Planner to store insurance, health care provider, and emergency contact information; a platform to track prescriptions and prescription history; a caregiver Message Board to talk with other caregivers and share stories and tips; and a Journal which gives caregivers the ability to take notes during doctor’s appointments and write down questions. To learn more, visit www.strengthforcaring.com/careconnector.

Elder 911 and Elder 411

Doctor Marion, a lifelong gerontologist and elder care expert, and Presto Services Inc. have launched two caregiver apps for the iPhone and iPod touch.

Elder 411: Elder 411 contains over 500 pieces of expert advice, which are categorized into 10 eldercare topics. Each section is organized by media type whether written, audio, or video, as well as an “Ask Dr. Marion” category. You can also create and attach notes to any written, audio, or video tip. Elder 411 is available for $1.99 from the iTunes store. For information, visit www.elder411.net.

Elder 911: Elder 911 guides the user through the steps of a medical emergency including what to do before a crisis occurs, while at the hospital, before leaving the hospital, and after leaving the hospital. The app also addresses recovery and quality of life issues. Each crisis page tells the user step-by-step what to watch out for. It also includes interactive checklists and supporting information where necessary. Elder 911 is available for $0.99 from the iTunes store.

Caregiver’s Touch

Caregiver’s Touch provides a way to store and easily access all of your loved one’s information in one place. Users can create up to 6 individual profiles, storing data in the following categories: medication and medical history, contacts, emergency information, insurance, legal and financial, and military records. It also includes a calendar of appointments and a place to write notes.  The iPhone application costs $4.99, while the web-based version costs $19.95 per month or $199.95 per year. For more information, visit www.caregiverstouch.com

Medicine Cabinet

Medicine Cabinet gives caregivers the ability to easily store and retrieve all of their prescription-related information including: drug and physician information, pills, dosage, and duration of treatment. Medicine Cabinet is ideal for those caregivers who are managing prescriptions for multiple family members. For more information, visit www.limbua.com/limbua/MedicineCabinet/

RxmindMe

For those individuals who have trouble managing their own prescriptions, or who are overburdened with their loved one’s medication regime, RxmindMe could help. RxmindMe not only keeps track of medications, it also sends reminder alerts. The product advertises itself as the first and only iPhone App available for prescription reminders. There are 5 different prescription reminders: daily, weekly, monthly, or specific dates. Users can also store and track all of their prescription-related information. RxmindMe costs $3.99. For more information go to: www.rxmind.me/Default.aspx

Hot Water Warning: Burn Prevention

Burns, especially from hot water, are some of the most common injuries for people aged 65-79, resulting in about 8,600 emergency room visits annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overall, scalds, or burns attributed to hot liquids or steam, account for 33-58% of all patients hospitalized for burns in the United States. Older adults can be especially susceptible to scalding because their skin is thinner; they often have reduced coordination and mobility, and a lower ability to feel heat due to health conditions or medications. Hot water from faucets is a common source of scald injuries. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the recommended maximum residential standard is 120°F.

One way you can help protect yourself and your loved ones from scald injury is by installing an anti-scald value, also called a tempering valve, on the water line next to the water heater. An anti-scald valve mixes cold water in with the outgoing hot water to assure that hot water reaching a fixture is at a temperature low enough to be safe. Some plumbing skills are required to install an anti-scald value to the water line so it is probably best seek the services of a licensed plumber. Check out the following websites for additional information:

• Honeywell Thermostatic Mixing Valve
• Guide to Mixing Valves & Anti Scald Valves on Water Heating Equipment

You should also consider what’s called a Temperature Activated Flow Reducer (TAFR). This device will automatically turn off the water flow when the water temperature gets too hot.

HotStop’s anti-scald faucet reduces water flow to a trickle when the water reaches an unsafe temperature. As soon as the water in the line cools, the flow restarts, often within 30 seconds. It works through the use of a thermostat designed to trigger at a pre-determined temperature. HotStop’s faucets cost between $45-50. Other companies that make similar products include ScaldShield and Hydroguard.

Regardless, everyone should always be sure and check the water temperature by hand before stepping into a bath or shower. This brings us to another important safety tip. Falling in the tub or shower is dangerous enough, but when the fall is in scalding water the risk of serious injury or even death is multiplied. If your senior has mobility or coordination difficulties, it might be a good idea to consider installing grab bars, a shower seat, or a transfer bench.

Bathrooms and kitchens are undoubtedly dangerous places. The potential for falls, burns, and accidents in general is high enough without including reduced motor skills or sensory loss. Fortunately, there are products readily available that can greatly reduce the probability of an accident and give piece of mind to caregivers and loved ones.

Where Are the Robots We Were Promised?

Where are the robots we were told would help simplify our lives? Ready or not, they are here. From the living room, to the operating table, to more human-like prototypes, robotic technologies are advancing at a rapid pace and increasingly becoming a part of everyday life.

What about robots to help with eldercare? Given the caregiver shortage and the growing number of people who need care, surely there could be a role for robots, at least in some capacity. Indeed, there are a number of amazing and somewhat Jetson-esque solutions being developed by some very innovative companies.

GeckoSystems International Corporation is a leading developer of mobile service robots (MSRs) that specialize in safety, security, and service. The company has developed a robot called CareBot which is specifically designed to aid in eldercare.

So what does CareBot do? For starters, the robot can help monitor the care receiver from virtually anywhere in the home. It can alert caregivers or emergency personnel when a harmful event has occurred such as a fall or a medical emergency and can respond to calls for help. What about reminders for medication, doctor’s appointments, or family visits? No problem. As the video below shows, CareBot can even remind someone of when their favorite television show is on. Family caregivers find that the robot is an effective communication and networking device given the onboard webcam and video monitor. Interestingly, CareBot’s personality, voice, and phrases can be customized to suit the preferences and heritage of the elder. It can even play music, tell jokes, or retell family anecdotes.

CareBot does have some limitations. For instance the battery life is only about 10-20 hours. Also, its suitability for homes with indoor steps remains in question. Pricing is a mystery; however, other reports have pegged the cost at $10,000 to $15,000 each—expensive, but well below the annual cost of a nursing home. There is also the “big brother” issue to confront.

So will mom or dad come to view CareBot as a companion/caregiver of sorts? Not a replacement for human care, but perhaps a substitute for those times when the family caregiver cannot be there. As human beings it is our nature to develop connections outside of ourselves and not just with other people. We are capable of developing deep emotional bonds with pets and even talk to plants on occasion. As the presence of robotic technology in our daily life increases, is accepting a robot caregiver really such a stretch?

CareBot is eye-popping and stirs the imagination; however, we have a ways to go before it or something similar will be able to effectively service the masses. Until then, ElderBrief will continue to give our readers glimpses into the future of caregiving.