Devices help elderly stay independent

WASHINGTON -- Imagine a phone that shows a picture of the person calling and tells you who the person is and the last time you talked to him or her.

This prototype aimed at Alzheimer's patients, plus other devices that are on the market now, are intended to allow elderly patients to stay independent for as long as possible.

"The focus has to be on health, wellness and prevention. People want to manage their own health," said Kathy Bakkenist of Ecumen, a Minnesota company that consults on senior aging, housing and long-term care. She said new systems have to be relevant, affordable and easy to use.

"Half of all 60-year-olds in the U.S. have parents alive. We have four-generation families in America and may have five-generation families by 2050. This level of complexity offers a challenge," said Dr. Mike Magee, who writes blogs on health issues.

Here are some recently developed products bringing health services to the elderly:

DAKIM'S [m]POWER brain fitness computer recognizes users by voice and provides a program that progressively builds on past activities to exercise their minds. The devices now are used in group homes, but a private home model will be available in May, according to Richard Sill, vice president of sales.

THE COMO SYSTEM by Grandcare Systems is a communications station at which older people are able to read their schedules, receive medication reminders and see pictures and notes sent by their families. Information is sent to a customized channel on an older person's television.

An ELECTRONIC MEDICATION DISPENSER from Philips avoids the dangers of forgetting medication by dispensing it at the appropriate times throughout the day. The machine can hold a month's supply of medicine and is locked between refills.

SENTRY MONITOR by Honeywell HomMed monitors vital signs up to four times a day, guiding the user through the process. It has a digital scale, a blood pressure cuff, a finger sensor, a thermometer and a glucose meter. The machine includes a standard phone line and digital two-way pager to alert caretakers of changes.

THE GC COMO BOX by Grandcare Systems is a wireless sensor system that monitors daily activity, allowing family members and caretakers to quickly respond to changes in health or falls. Wellness sensors including a scale and blood pressure cuff are also available.