Rory’s Always On Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. The NHS seems to be in deep crisis, overwhelmed by emergency cases arriving at A&E in ambulances which become not-so-temporary hospital beds. In such circumstances it is difficult to think about the longer term, and whether technology could help the health service tackle the challenges it faces. But if we want to cut the traffic to overstretched emergency departments, tech could be part of the answer - and it doesn’t have to be complex or expensive.
This is a conceptually simple approach the nub of which is that it is preventive rather than reactive. The challenge is to make it adaptable to a range of circumstances where falls could be expected. I am 73 and have to get up in the night every night. We have a Hive system in our house that includes motion sensors that are programmed, not to talk to me, but to switch on a couple of lights to guide me to the bathroom and ensure that I successfully negotiate two pairs of steps on the way. Maybe Dr Adler's device could incorporate this added benefit in some way.
Sounds like a great low cost item that could help many people without a huge cost. Anyone getting it in production would have to keep the price low and assembly and components kept to a scale to keep it affordable thus effectively target the age group over 65 who does not have the disposable income for an Apple or other device. Commendations that this can be successful world wide.
There’s a lot of similar sorts of devices now being implemented within the NHS, in terms of home monitoring for patients. And like this they are all excellent ideas they need funding and resourcing.
The last fall I had was when I was in hospital a year ago. It was nobody's fault. Apparently, I'd woken up after surgery and appeared alert. But some time later I woke alone in the dark and puzzled because I had no memory of being awake earlier. Befuddled, I got out of bed, slipped and fell. No harm done, fortunately, but with BIDE that would not have happened.
This is a conceptually simple approach the nub of which is that it is preventive rather than reactive. The challenge is to make it adaptable to a range of circumstances where falls could be expected. I am 73 and have to get up in the night every night. We have a Hive system in our house that includes motion sensors that are programmed, not to talk to me, but to switch on a couple of lights to guide me to the bathroom and ensure that I successfully negotiate two pairs of steps on the way. Maybe Dr Adler's device could incorporate this added benefit in some way.
Might just be worth talking to Apple - they already have fall detection software on a wearable device after all?
Haddon
Sounds like a great low cost item that could help many people without a huge cost. Anyone getting it in production would have to keep the price low and assembly and components kept to a scale to keep it affordable thus effectively target the age group over 65 who does not have the disposable income for an Apple or other device. Commendations that this can be successful world wide.
There’s a lot of similar sorts of devices now being implemented within the NHS, in terms of home monitoring for patients. And like this they are all excellent ideas they need funding and resourcing.
The last fall I had was when I was in hospital a year ago. It was nobody's fault. Apparently, I'd woken up after surgery and appeared alert. But some time later I woke alone in the dark and puzzled because I had no memory of being awake earlier. Befuddled, I got out of bed, slipped and fell. No harm done, fortunately, but with BIDE that would not have happened.