Smart bracelet monitors real-time health of elderly

FOLLOWING trends on wearable devices, a new smart bracelet for the elderly has been developed to monitor their real-time health status. The product can constantly supervise seniors living alone to ensure they get help in case of a medical emergency resulting from a fall, an anxiety attack, or even a heart attack.

 

 

Instead of requiring patients to be physically present for tests, the bracelet will help nurses and doctors in nursing homes and hospitals monitor patients remotely. With vital signs information and patient history for the last three months all accessible, doctors can help prevent complications. 

 

Mexican Francisco López-Lira Fennel, who lives in Spain and is the founder of the company Cualli Software, said the product was conceived to assure seniors that someone is looking out for them 24 hours a day even if that someone does not live in the same house. In Spain, about 10% of Spanish households are inhabited by adults over 64 living alone, according to data from the National Statistics Institute.

 

The wearable device is a specialized health system with three sensors for measuring the pulse, temperature, and movement. It automatically uploads data on blood pressure, pulse, or accidents to the cloud every 30 seconds. A remote caregiver can access these data via an app for smartphones and Android or iOS tablets. 

 

“The device doesn’t seek to be a smart watch, because it lacks a touchscreen, nor promotes interaction through e-mail or social networks, so it is configured for the elder adult to just put it on and not worry about knowing how to handle it, having a permanent link to the call center to check his vitals or to relatives via smartphone,” according to Mr. Fennel.

 

The smart product also has an accelerometer, an audio channel, small speakers, and a microphone to communicate with a call center or via smartphone with a relative who can assist by pressing the only button on the appliance. It features WiFi connection and an integrated 3G chip for placing an emergency call to a doctor.