Visma is the leading supplier of software and services for
finance and administration in Norway. Telenor Objects has long
experience with M2M (machine-to-machine) communication, such as
collecting, saving and processing data from sensors and alarms. The
partners' common innovation project aims at showing how
off-the-shelf technology may be used to enable a larger number of
old people to stay home longer and offer care personnel the
opportunity to spend more of their working time on their core
activities.
"According to Statistics Norway there are 4.4 employed people
per retired person today. In year 2050 this number will be reduced
to 2.5. Clearly, we need to exploit available resources in
innovative and better ways. Increased use of technology may be one
of the answers to this challenge," said Product Manager Leif-Inge
Jakobsen inVisma.
Necessary technology in place
Telenor Object's platform for data acquisition enables
sharing of information between sensors and applications in a secure
and efficient way. Telenor has already run a pilot on mobile health
services together with seven local councils in southern Norway.
Stand-alone solutions have been tested. For instance, when a
patient had taken all her medication in her pill dispenser, a
message was automatically generated to the health care system.
Integrating sensor data into the professional
software
"There is already a multitude of different sensor
solutions from various vendors on the market, for example
sensors for measuring blood pressure or insulin level. But we have
a long way to go before the reception and storage of data from
these sensors are standardized. As of today these data are
fragmented and not easily available so this is what we are working
with," said Project Manager Elin Heir in Telenor Objects.
To begin with the innovation project will include sensors for
measuring blood pressure and oxygen saturation in the blood and for
detecting falls and bedwetting. Telenor is working on how to
receive and save these sensor data on their platform, and Visma
will process the data into their various software systems. The
ambition is to have the new solutions in place shortly and start
demonstrations.
Freedom of choice when you get old
Elderly people today are used to freedom of choice. They
are used to self service in various fields and an increasing number
of them are also familiar with online solutions. This has prepared
the ground for telcos and partners to make use of more technology
in tomorrow's caring services without compromising old people's
safety.
The Telenor and Visma innovation project aims at giving the care
personnel new tools to improve the quality of their offers and will
not suggest radical changes in their way of work. As they will
receive important information electronically, travelling time to
and from their clients will be reduced and free time for those who
need it most will be gained.
Denmark and Scotland are ahead of Norway in this field and
studies from these countries show that the elderly appreciate
automatic alerts when they are in need, instead of care people
coming at regular times to check on them.
"In the case of bedwetting for example, it is much better that
the nurse is coming to the patient's home as soon as possible after
humidity is detected rather than following a regular visit
schedule. This type of solutions can make old age more worthy for
those living at home," said Leif-Inge Jakobsen.
Technology is needed to secure good caring
services
Caring services is a collective term for a variety of
technologies which contribute to a more efficient and
demand-controlled care.
Smart home technology
Smart home technology is used to register normal and abnormal
events at home and to alert care personnel or relatives. It enables
monitoring and remote management of light, heat, doors, and
windows, or warns of a fall, fire or water leaks. This may reduce
the need for supervision and visits, without compromising the
patient's physical safety.
Body sensors
Body sensors monitor the patient's health condition by measuring
and evaluating blood pressure, heart rhythm, lung capacity and
blood values. Such biosensors may also be integrated in advanced
beds where they can register movements and involuntary bedwetting.
One may also link sensors to insulin pumps or a COPD case to ensure
that the patient takes the correct medication dosages. All these
functions enable home-based treatment, medication and automatic
notification for emergency assistance.
Tracking technology
Tracking technology calculates and reports on geographic
location. This may be GPS solutions attached to the body, mounted
on a walker or the like, in order to help people with impaired
orientation get more freedom to move outside the home.
Administrative technology
Adminstrative technology includes computer systems that
streamline the administrative work in caring services. Such
solutions can improve the workflow, information access, time and
functional planning of care personnel, and facilitate the
interaction between different players in the health care sector.
Functionality that can be used on portable devices will also
contribute to increased mobility for care personnel.
Automated machines / robots
Automated machines and robots can help to solve practical tasks
at home, such as cleaning, personal service and hygiene, functional
support, rehabilitation aid, or extinguishing of fire.