Ohta Shigeru, Nakamoto Hiroshi, Shinagawa Yoshimitsu, Tanikawa Tomohiro
Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare, Okayama, Japan.
J Telemed Telecare. 2002;8(3):151-6. doi: 10.1177/1357633X0200800305.
We have developed a health monitoring system for elderly people living alone. We monitored the in-house movements of eight subjects (average age 81 years) by placing infrared sensors in each room of their homes. Because their movements were unrestricted, monitoring could last longer than other forms of monitoring. Continuous monitoring was performed for 80 months in total. We found that each subject had a specific pattern of movements. We estimated their health condition by comparing the duration of stays in specific rooms, such as the lavatory, with previously recorded data. If after analysis an unusual state was detected, we informed the family of the incident. Final decisions should be made by the family members, not automatically by computer software. For example, after contacting the subject or a neighbour by telephone, family members could call for an ambulance or arrange a visit by a doctor or home help. Thus, this system reduced anxiety for both the elderly subjects living alone and their family members.
我们为独居老人开发了一种健康监测系统。我们通过在八位受试者（平均年龄81岁）家中的每个房间放置红外传感器，来监测他们在室内的活动。由于他们的活动不受限制，因此监测时间可以比其他形式的监测更长。总共进行了80个月的连续监测。我们发现每个受试者都有特定的活动模式。我们通过将在特定房间（如卫生间）的停留时间与先前记录的数据进行比较，来估计他们的健康状况。如果经过分析检测到异常状态，我们会通知家属该事件。最终决策应由家庭成员做出，而不是由计算机软件自动做出。例如，在通过电话联系受试者或邻居后，家庭成员可以呼叫救护车或安排医生出诊或上门护理。因此，该系统减轻了独居老人及其家庭成员的焦虑。
