Aging in Place? Crowdsourcing Technology and Predictive Analytics Fight Safety Concerns
The vast majority of seniors would prefer to remain at their homes as they age rather than relocating to an assisted living facility; however, aging in place comes with dangers and often the need for extra supervision. Crowdsourcing technology and predictive analytics can ensure that seniors are connected to receive help from friends, neighbors, family, and medical services at all times, says AI healthcare company Zanthion.
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Anyone who's ever dealt with an aging parent (and seniors themselves) will probably not be surprised by the statistic that 87% of seniors would prefer to age in place, rather than relocate to an assisted living facility.1 However, seniors who choose to remain at home, especially after developing disabilities, are in danger of becoming housebound and unable to care for themselves or keep up their quality of life. Researchers estimate that over 2 million seniors – more than the population of those currently in nursing homes – rarely or never leave their homes, in danger of neglect, loneliness, and medical distress.2 But new developments in crowdsourcing technologies and predictive analytics can ensure that seniors are always monitored and connected to loved ones and medical help, says AI healthcare company Zanthion.
It's difficult for anyone to leave the home he or she loves, but a number of problems and concerns can arise as seniors age in place unattended. Cooking, cleaning, and bathing become difficult. Almost 60% of seniors who are homebound and about a third of those who are semi-homebound suffer from depression, as it gets more difficult to go out and see friends.3 And fall detection and medical events become an enormous worry – with non-emergencies sometimes becoming a burden on medical personnel and calls about true emergencies being directed to far-away family and friends.
Seniors are often nervous about calling 911, afraid they'll be charged an exorbitant bill for the ambulance. Either that, or they are reluctant to admit they are experiencing a true emergency.4 At that point, they call family or friends, who are unsure of what kind of response is really required. The worst-case scenario occurs when a fall or other medical emergency puts incapacitated (and unattended) seniors out of reach of a phone.
"My siblings and I were called to attend to emergencies and non-emergencies for years before my parents passed away, and we always worried when the next shoe was going to drop," says Philip Regenie, CEO of Zanthion. "Technologies such as crowdsourcing and predictive analytics can keep seniors connected to supervision and able to request help at all times, as well as alert loved ones of potential dangers."
Zanthion has developed a range of devices, from environmental sensors to wearables, that provide real-time data about a senior's whereabouts and vital signs which can be used to determine if a real emergency is present. Selected friends and family can respond to detected falls or signals for help (sent through a senior's wearable sensor) and emergency personnel can be called if necessary. Environmental sensors also predict any needed interventions, such as a fall from bed or a window left open that's letting in cold air.5
"All of Zanthion's technology services add up to a better and safer experience aging in place," says Regenie.
Predictive analytics are also under trial by hospitals and medical institutions to prevent hospital readmissions, which one in six Medicare patients experience within one month of being initially discharged from a hospital.6 Wearables and remote monitoring can point to potential causes of senior readmission such as falls and urinary tract infections. This would be life-changing for the more than half of elderly patients who are released from a hospital without direct monitoring by a healthcare professional.
While aging in place has its dangers, it's still absolutely a viable option for the many seniors who are still in fair health and willing to make the necessary adjustments. Friends, family, and caregivers – thankfully – can and will enjoy greater peace of mind, and seniors will be protected with greater safety, as these AI technologies are implemented.
About Zanthion:
Zanthion is an AI Digital Healthcare Company specializing in the integration of an extensible architecture of sensors and protective clothing and environmental equipment for both Assisted Living Communities and the home; a cross between Uber, smart homes, fall detection, and senior care. Zanthion exists to create new and disruptive solutions for seniors and their families to track and detect possible issues and injuries for today's senior citizens—using technology to provide a better quality of life for everyone involved. Zanthion is a pioneer in changing our social environment with future vision, solution-based systems that improve the world based on an open source, transparent, crowd-sourced platform and social processes that accurately assess what happened, inform the correct resources, provide resources to the problem efficiently, and keep track of the efficiency of fixing the problem. Zanthion embraces a responsible future. Visit http://www.Zanthion.com
1) Hicks, Kristen. "The Dark Side of Aging in Place." Senior Advisor, 22 Aug. 2017, Web.
2) Ibid.
3) Ibid.
4) "Seniors Shy Away from Calling 911 Emergency." Journal of Emergency Medical Services, 29 June 2008. Web.
5) "Senior Monitoring System for Those Who Live at Home. Aging in Place." Zanthion, Web.
6) Diacopoulos, Eli. "Readmissions on the Rise." Advance Healthcare Network: Nursing, 19 Nov. 2018, Web.
SOURCE Zanthion
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