Modern brownies

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With intelligent aids, seniors could live more safely in their own four walls in the future. Some of the "thinking things" already exist

At night, small figures flit through the house and whip it up unnoticed, while the residents slumber peacefully in their beds. Almost everyone knows the story of the brownies - those Cologne house ghosts who always flee in the end: "How was it in Cologne before, with brownies." It now seems as if the brownies have returned - albeit in a slightly different form. The modern house spirits are on site around the clock and are only noticeable when there are problems. Much is still a vision of the future, some is already reality.

Millions at home alone

The demand for intelligent, technical aids will increase in the next few years, predict researchers. Because the majority of the population still wants to live in their own four walls in old age.

According to a forecast by the Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR), there are only a few regions in Germany in 2020 where not every third person is over 60 years old. According to the BBR, there will be millions of senior households. These people are 40 to 60 years old today, most of them have grown up in a technical environment and are therefore an ideal target group for the new aids.

A pen writes, sees and transmits data

A pilot project at the Ruhr University in Bochum tested a pen system that has already proven itself in health monitoring, for example in the transmission of blood sugar levels to the doctor. A ballpoint pen that is only slightly thicker than a commercially available one can do a lot more than just write. Next to the face is a small battery-operated camera that records what is written on a special paper form. The "wish list" is automatically processed via mobile phone connection.

Medicine box speaks

The Frauenhofer Institute is testing the smart living of the future in its inHaus center in Duisburg, such as an intelligent medicine cabinet in the bathroom. It sounds the alarm if its owner has forgotten to take an important medication. Via so-called radio chips on the medicine boxes, the box knows what is inside and when which medicine has to be taken. In case of doubt, according to the researchers' idea, the cabinet would alert the nursing staff via the Internet. The refrigerator works with the same technology; it warns you in good time before the milk turns sour. Even the bathtub knows what temperature the resident prefers.

There are carpets with sensors throughout the house. You can immediately see whether a resident is just walking on the carpet or has fallen and lies helplessly on the floor. In this case, the carpet - like the medicine cabinet - would call for help over the Internet.

Camera sees falls

Researchers at the University of Braunschweig have developed a new camera system that automatically transmits help if the person being observed falls. This means that elderly people can receive medical care faster if they have an accident at home. The system works autonomously, does not require any operation and is therefore suitable for everyone, according to the researchers.

A camera on the ceiling monitors the entire living space. The device sends the images to a computer, which evaluates the information. The system analyzes the posture and can thus recognize whether the person has fallen. The system is ready for use even in poor visibility. Infrared or halogen lamps support the camera in the dark. The resulting shadows help to better recognize falls. If the computer registers an accident, it automatically triggers an alarm.

The system can be linked to a conventional home emergency call system. The recorded images remain invisible to third parties in the computer.

Tub full? Shut the cock!

The bathtub will also think along in the future. When it is full, the tap turns off automatically. The kitchen stove switches off and all lights go out as soon as the apartment door is locked from the outside - an advantage not only for forgetful seniors.

The entire household functions on the basis of a uniform data standard, so the various components of the household can communicate with one another. Everything must be as easy to use as possible. The advantage: no resident has to complete a programming course before they can use the system.

Big Brother in Patients

But technology will also play an increasingly important role in patient monitoring in nursing homes or hospitals. A wristband with a built-in radio chip contains all the important data on previous illnesses, intolerance or drug dosages. Doctors and nurses can access this information on a PC or handheld computer. In this way, for example, complications due to incorrect medication can be prevented and the course of treatment can be traced at any time.

There are also new possible uses in outpatient monitoring. A US company is already offering the so-called "Life Shirt", which records the patient's health values ​​via sensors and forwards them to a doctor in the monitoring center.

Japanese researchers even developed a toilet that works for the family doctor. The toilet seat is equipped with electrodes and measures the body fat content, while a grasping spoon inside the toilet takes a urine sample and determines the sugar content.

The robot grandpa

In the near future, Japanese seniors should be able to move better with a new type of robotic suit. The exoskeleton called "HAL" (Hybrid Assistive Limb) supports the movements of the arms and legs. Sensors on the skin register the electrical currents that are conducted back and forth between the brain and muscles. In order to stabilize the joints of the shoulder, arm, hips and knees, the automatic of the suit switches on shortly before the natural movement of the muscles. HAL is already in use in Japan. A large part of the developments is still a long way off and the insurance companies will not necessarily cover the costs.

House emergency call - the forefather

The forefather of technical aids, on the other hand, is the home emergency number. For 25 years, seniors have been able to call for help at the push of a button if something should happen to them at home. The home emergency call is a device that uses the telephone line to establish contact with a constantly manned emergency call center.

The centerpiece is a hands-free system that is set up in a central place in the apartment. The user always carries a small radio transmitter with them, for example around their neck or wrist. If necessary, he can activate the emergency call from any point in the apartment. Specially trained employees of the emergency call center inquire about the reason for the call for help and organize the necessary help.

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