We are facing the “silver tsunami” of an ageing society that within a few years will see for the first time more people over the age of 65 living on this planet than those under 5 years of age. Apart from the increased burden of chronic diseases that accompanies old age, the biggest impact of an increasingly ageing population will be felt in the numbers of people with dementia, and in particular Alzheimer’s disease. In Europe, around 7 percent of the population over 65 have dementia. This rises dramatically with age and nearly 50 percent of women and 30 percent of men over the age of 90 will suffer from the condition.
The Internet of Things
For many of us, there is the desire to age in place—that is to remain in our homes and stay as active and independent for as long as possible. One possible way of achieving this is to use technological assistance, and in particular use connected smart devices that are collectively called the Internet of Things, which are rapidly becoming a reality in the home.
The Internet of Things can communicate with each other and with software running in the cloud. These devices can act as sensors, monitoring what is happening in the environment and, in particular, with elderly people themselves. They can also process information and take action, such as controlling heating and air conditioning, locking doors and windows, and reminding people to take medications or encourage them to be active, or simply go for a walk.
