Older and disabled people will be given the right to determine the way they live if Lord Ashley’s Private Member’s Bill becomes law. Under the Independent Living Bill no-one would be forced into residential care against their will. BBC news report.
Pennsylvania prosecutes home alarm company
Company offering burglar and ‘medic alarms’ was prosecuted for not adequately disclosing automatic contract renewals, unfair price increase language and not notifiying cancellation rights. Press report.
What does Archimedes say?
Fascinating article for those of us who sense that reluctance to embrace telehealth and telecare technology is more than just a ‘rational’ plea for more evidence. Long but interesting item on Dr David Eddy, who has spent much of his life exposing the ‘irrationality’ underpinning most medical practice. Read it here.
C-Turtle video home monitoring
Launch of ViTelCare C-Turtle video-enabled home monitoring unit. New telecare product information in this dull-as-ditchwater press release which leads to a more interesting website.
Med-e-tel Conference presentations
Organisers of the recent Med-e-tel Conference in Luxemburg have posted presentations and papers for your to browse. Med-e-tel website.
PSA target on homecare, and European statistics on aging
1) Health and Social Care Information Centre publication provides information about the Public Service Agreement (PSA) on home care 2004/05. Data is provided at local authority level, to asses the progress being made towards the target. (The past three years have seen a steady increase in the proportion of older people receiving intensive help to live independently at home rather than in residential care.) More…
2) The trend toward ageing is most pronounced in Europe, which by 2025 will have eight of the 10 “oldest” populations—that is, percentage of people above age 60—among countries worldwide with at least 10 million people. Report on the statistics.
This is reportedly from a press release by the Alliance for Health and the Future although we cannot find it on its site. However, it’s a site that many of our readers will be interested to explore.
Chronic disability overestimated
Researchers at Yale School of Medicine report that the rates of chronic disability in older Americans have been substantially overestimated. Read more.
Tunstall enhances door entry and access control
New product range offers increased protection for residents and buildings, reducing the risk of burglary and anti-social behaviour. Tunstall press release.
Home monitoring improves patients’ understanding of chronic conditions
A survey of 9,732 US patients using the Health Buddy appliance found that 86 percent say they better understand their medical condition and treatment and are better able to manage their chronic health conditions. Read more.
Distractions ‘hit ageing memory’
A team at the University of California, Berkeley, found that older people had no problems focusing on relevant information – but could not effectively shut out competing distractions. Read more.
Older people’s isolation and loneliness: Study
Dr Mima Cattan’s recent study (Leeds Metropolitan University) concluded that the effects of social isolation and loneliness for an older person can be harmful and traumatic. Although there are many good initiatives that aim to tackle the problem, older people are rarely involved in developing these activities.” Read a report from Care Directions.
Clayton Communications introduces SafeGuardian to US market
SafeGuardian™ One Button Medical Alarm Cell Phone is a small, lightweight battery powered cell phone with a built-in GPS locator. The device is activated with just one push of the single oversized red “call” button on the front. Callers can request to be connected to anyone worldwide, store important information (names, telephone numbers, medical information, etc) for quick contact, receive turn-by-turn driving directions and even request location and directions to any local business, etc. Read more.
eventmine launches careMonitor in UK
careMonitor is a service that combines video conferencing, Internet surveillance, and remote medical diagnostics (telemedicine) into a cost-effective package for home-based support of older people with health needs.
Information on our site
Older people who use computers report less depression
Those who become adept at and use a computer appear to have fewer depressive symptoms than those older adults who aren’t so technologically connected. News report.
Tunstall Launches Medication Management Solution
Medication reminder facility on Tunstall’s Lifeline 4000+ intelligent home unit, combined with a 28-dose medication dispenser unit with transmitter. Gives automatic reminder messages that require a user response and alerts carers via the Lifeline 4000+ if medication is not taken within an hour of the due time.
Read the news article.
Info. on our site.
Tynetec new product: Advent xt
New product launch by Tynetec. This link takes you to its press release fron where you can download a datasheet. Click here.
Most Recent Comments