RFID CHIPS TO MONITOR THE ELDERLY (STA BREAKING NEWS and ARCHIVES)

by Theresa, Wednesday, March 17, 2004, 22:46

RFID chips watch Grandma brush teeth

11:50 17 March 04

NewScientist.com news service

Tiny computer chips that emit unique radio-frequency IDs could be slapped on to toothbrushes, chairs and even toilet seats to monitor elderly people in their own homes.

Data harvested from the RFID chips would reassure family and care-givers that an elderly person was taking care of themselves, for example taking their medication. Unusual data patterns would provide an early warning that something was wrong.

A group of Intel researchers demonstrated the technology to US government officials in Washington DC on Tuesday. The event aimed to show how embedded wireless chips could help tackle the care problems created by the rapidly rising number of senior citizens. Such networks have already been deployed to monitor the environment and scan for empty parking spots.

"This technology could enable people to age in [their homes] with greater dignity, safety and independence," says Eric Dishman, director of Intel's Proactive Health programme.

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Intel's solution requires an elderly person to wear a glove embedded with a RFID reader the size of two AA batteries. The reader clocks any tagged objects that the person touches and wirelessly transmits their unique IDs to a central PC, which records the time.

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Concerned relatives can then check on their loved one over the internet. The computer could even be programmed to pick up on unusual patterns automatically and alert relatives through an email or SMS message.

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