Communications Intelligence: Improving Well-Being of the Elderly

Improving Well-being by Stimulating Interaction Peripatetic lifestyles have put a strain on maintaining strong family bonds. Siblings are often challenged to reside in the same country as their relatives, let alone the same county. But what if a picture on the living room wall could act as a window to your family and friends? The Accenture Technology Labs prototype, an interactive picture, offers just that. With no keyboard or mouse required, the elderly relative can simply make contact by standing in front of the picture to make use of this dedicated communication channel. With the downward spiraling costs of technology, interactive pictures could be assigned to every key contact—an open channel to the doctor or green grocer that is instinctive and easy to use. Using such a device, an older person could feel instantly more connected to the world around them.

Ready, Willing and Able
Consider a twist on the restauranteur’s phrase “Your table is ready.” Accenture Technology Labs has devised a connective table that uses cameras, sensors and video projectors to interact with family or care providers. The connective table is primed for the technophobe, allowing an elderly person in a natural but immersive way to sort the mail, pay bills or play a game with their grandchildren as if they were in the same room together. Using Web cams, remote-controlled toys and other sensors, the grandparent can join in a song, show a picture book, activate a toy, even take a photograph and instantly distribute it to friends via e-mail. Such activities open up avenues for socializing; an easy-point of contact that makes the elderly feel they are part of an active family, no matter what time and distance separates them.

Accenture is testing the limits of today’s technology by using state-of-the-art components in a novel way. Implementing tools such as interactive picture and connective table offers opportunities for preventive care, halting a spiral of mental and physical decline and nurturing our older generation. How does this look from a business viewpoint? Find out more about how installing such technology can have a significant impact in many industries and diverse applications outside the home.

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