Home Automation/Smart Homes | Aging in place with universal design and technology.

AIP Tech: Smart Home Exhibit in Chicago

Read More: Connected Home, Green Home, Smart Homes

A fully-functioning, smart home exhibit has opened on the grounds of Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. The home reflects “the lifestyle Smart Home Green + Wired Exhibit of a couple looking to minimize home maintenance, maximize efficiency and settle in to a space that not only is beautiful, but functional.”

The three-story pre-fab, modular home features innovative home technologies, products, furniture and has a Smart Home Park offering techniques for urban gardening. Modular homes can be fully customized, are factory built and can be completed much sooner than a traditional build.

Michelle Kauffman, architect, incorporated five key eco-principles into her design:

Smart Design: full-home automation, high ceilings, abundant light
Material Efficiency: Renewable/recyclable materials, modular
Energy Efficiency: green roof, solar panels, wind turbine
Water Efficiency: low-flow shower heads, dual-flush toilets, use of gray water
Healthy Environment: non-toxic materials, no or low-volatile organic compounds, water recycling, permeable paving materials

The Exhibit runs through January 9, 2011.

Originally posted: 04/03/10 by AIPatHome Staff

In-Home Telehealth Study Launched By Mayo Clinic, GE, Intel

During the year-long study 200 high-risk patients over the age of 60 with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart failure, lung disease, will use a medical monitoring device to take their vitals: blood pressure, weight, sugar levels and peak air flow. This information is collected in a central database at the Mayo Clinic where the patient’s primary medical team will have secure web access. Clinicians will also be able to use the videoconferencing system to observe and communicate with their patients.

Originally posted: 02/25/10 by AIPatHome Staff

Is the UK out in front of others, including the US, when it comes to smart homes, telecare and telehealthcare technology adoption?

George MacGinnis on the difference between telecare and telehealth: In terms of telecare we think of tele-social care. The main focus is on managing risks to peoples’ lives. They might have a panic button, a fall sensor and these might be people who are suffering from dementia. There are risks that they might leave the oven on and create a fire, so there are remote control fire detectors or remote gas shut off valves, etc. Whereas [telehealth] is much more about chronic disease management: Diabetics might be checking their sugar, others might be checking peak flows, blood pressure or weighing themselves and answering questions about their health.

Originally posted: 12/18/09 by AIPatHome Staff 1 Comment

Blogging Seniors Catching Up With Teens

Read More: Computers-Internet, Connected Home, General Tags: connected

Overall, the number of unique visitors who are 65 or older on social networking and blog sites has increased 53 percent in the last two years alone. 8.2% of all social network and blog visitors are over 65, just 0.1 percentage points less than the number of teenagers who frequent these sites.

Originally posted: 12/15/09 by AIPatHome Staff

Universal Design Principles Applied To Technology In The AIP Home

With a groundswell of baby boomers heading towards seniordom, adding universal design features now adds to the value of the home. So for those who like to plan ahead, like the Dallas couple in the article, incorporating universal design elements in a remodel makes sense to do sooner rather than later.

Originally posted: 09/14/09 by AIPatHome Staff