Senior citizens are increasingly lonely, and it’s a serious problem. According to a study by the Public Library of Science Medicine–loneliness as a health risk factor is twice as detrimental as being obese, and equal to the risk of smoking cigarettes and alcoholism.
That’s why Intel-GE Care Innovations recently launched Care Innovations Connect, an easy-to-use, tablet-based digital platform that aims to combat social isolation among seniors. Care Innovations is a company formed from a combination of GE Healthcare’s Home Health Division and Intel’s Digital Health Group.
The Connect software acts as both an in-home digital device for seniors, and a customized portal that can be used by professional caregivers. The platform includes wellness surveys, wellness data, a community calendar and other tools–like a webcam and social network–making it sort of like a Facebook for seniors, in tablet form.
The first site to use Connect is Evangelical Homes of Michigan, which has been using the software as an early adopter since 2010 in two of their senior living community subsidiaries in southeast Michigan.
So far, the feedback has been extremely positive. “It lets our clients feel engaged and cared for on a daily basis,” said Evangelical Homes president Denise Rabidoux. Other senior living programs are interested in testing out the program, too.
Even seniors that would be considered technology-averse have taken to using Connect.
“We created this product out of years of in-depth research and user-testing,” Jim Pursley, General Manager of Independent Living at Intel-GE Care Innovations. “We’ve found that when seniors understand the value of a new technology, they are excited about learning to use it, and we made sure that our solution is both easy-to-use and engaging. Connect was designed for seniors, by seniors.”
The project is part of GE and Intel’s larger vision–to enable people to live independently and stay engaged in a healthy life.
“As a company, we’re fundamentally committed to solving the world’s biggest challenges in healthcare, independent living, and aging,” Pursley said. “Social isolation, connectedness, and cognitive health are all enormous issues for seniors, senior service providers, and families, and Connect is at the heart of creating innovative solutions to meet these challenges.”
* Check out the Connect website
* Watch a quick video showing how Connect works
* See what users from Evangelical Homes of Michigan have to say about Connect
* Public Library of Science Medicine
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This is outstanding – what a wonderful example of the convergence of technology and healthcare – the generation that uses this technology has seen more change than any of us and they deserve the best care possible.
This is really cool, perfect example for Technology & Healthcare
Fantastic idea!
Sorry to throw cold water on this, but looking at the specs for this tablet, it seems to be a non-starter. An 8.4-lb tablet with resistive screen is completely out-classed when compared with an iPad which is 1.3 lb with a capacitive screen, not to mention all the other applications and intangibles that goes along with it. This difference in weight and useability is especially pronounced given the target audience is seniors.
I would suggest to concentrate on developing the software, which could still result in a successful product. I just don’t see how pushing this hardware is going to fly with customers, considering the other options easily available.