Wireless Technology Enables Remote Monitoring for Care Givers.
July 1, 2009

CE Industry marketers forecast by 2012, 7.2 million Americans will be using home health monitoring services, generating more than $4 billion in service provider revenue.

The above target market for the above forecast is Seniors 65 and older. The specific health monitoring service we know will soon be available is a remote Care Giver monitoring solution utilizing the Internet. The primary components of this solution are wireless sensors, a home controller, and a central data collection system that provides real-time and historical information about everyday events as they happen in the Senior's home in report and graphical format downloadable by the Care Giver via the web. Any change from the normal living pattern of the Senior under monitor can then be investigated with a phone call or optional visit to the Senior residence.

The win for the Senior or disabled person is they conveniently stay in their own homes longer while living safe, independent, comfortable, and happy lives. The win for the family and Care Giver is, at a minimum, the postponement of expensive nursing home care. Each year of extended independent living for the Senior saves tens-to-hundreds of thousands of dollars in nursing home fees depending on the type of facility.

The specifc components of a remote monitoring solution for are Care Givers are:
• In-Home Gateway Controller
• Motion sensors
• Contact sensors (doors, medicine cabinets, refrigerator doors, etc)
• Pressure mats (bed, sofa, chair)
• “Contact Me Button” (panic button)
• Audio and Video feeds (optional)

The CloseBy (tm) Network is currently conducting a field beta test of a remote Care Giver Service similar to the solution described above. CloseBy provides the information events collected and communicates it to the Care Givers by notifying the “Care Network” of problems or changes in normal behavior patterns of the Senior.

Their web application displays real-time and historical activity from the home under monitor, and their system guarantees privacy and data security. The net result is CloseBy provides peace of mind to Care Givers and Care Recipients “…whether you are across the street or across the country.”

CloseBy is working with partners Card Access Inc., makers of the wireless sensors, and Control4 providing home controllers. By the end of this summer, Control4 Dealers are expected to be in position to sell and install the complete solution outlined herein for around $3k-$5k depending on the number of sensors and cameras included.