Countries around the world face a growing elderly population. Once of the challenges is to keep healthcare costs down for this group, while also affording them the opportunity to live as independently as they choose. Providing security and health monitoring for seniors living alone in their homes is a complex and tricky problem. MobileHelp is a company that has developed a system that might provide the right mix of features for some situations. At CES 2015, they announced their new MobileVitals telehealth system.
Their MobileVitals system is different from many “smart home” monitoring systems in that it does not require WiFi signals or even Internet service at all. Instead, it relies on cellular phone signals to transmit and receive data. As a result, the system is not limited to use within the home; an optional service provides coverage when the subject is away from their home.
Like many other systems, MobileVitals includes a help button that can be worn as a pendant or on the wrist. It can be used by the wearer to summon help, but it has fall detection so that it can trigger an alert automatically. There is also a version that relies on cellphone signals, so that it can be triggered while the user is away from home. Both devices provide location tracking, including cellular and GPS location information when outside the home.
The big advantage of the MobilVitals system is that it adds optional accessories that can be used to track the user’s vital signs. All communicate wireless with the base station over a Bluetooth connection. A weight scale, blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, and glucometer will be available initially. The base station sends the data up to the cloud, where it is analyzed so that changes can be tracked and alerts issued if readings fall outside predetermined limits.
This system will let family, caregivers, and healthcare workers the key biometric data for the user, providing peace of mind without being too intrusive. The system is expected to be available for consumer purchase by the end of the second quarter, 2015.
