The proposed solution is to recommend a wearable emergency alert device for senior citizens who spend most of their time alone at home. This is to ensure that they are always equipped with the device to receive assistance from caregivers when emergencies occur. Caregivers can range from family members, trained professionals to volunteers.
4.1 Criteria for Selection
The optimal emergency alert system should consist of the following five criteria:
4.1.1 Emergency Button
The emergency button becomes handy when seniors require help apart from falls. Examples could include other emergencies such as fire hazard or being generally unwell.
4.1.2 Global Positioning System (GPS)
GPS is essential as it allows caregivers to easily and efficiently locate the whereabouts of the elder in times of medical emergency.
4.1.3 Long Battery Life
Long battery life is extremely favourable because the elderly may forget to charge their device from time to time. A longer battery life means that they are protected for a prolonged period of time without new charges.
4.1.4 Water Resistance
A large number of falls occur in the bathroom where it is often wet and slippery. Thus, it is advisable for the device to be water resistant, as it would be unfortunate for it to malfunction in times of need.
4.2 Selection
Upon evaluating and weighing the functions and features, the emergency alert device that Eldervists have selected is the iHelp Adult GPS Tracker Device from OMG Solutions Pte Ltd, which costs SGD $390. Figure 1 and 2 show the physical layout and dimensions of iHelp Adult GPS Tracker Device. The specifications of the product can be found in Appendix C.
Figure 1. Features of iHelp Adult GPS Tracker Device
Figure 2. Dimensions of iHelp Adult GPS Tracker Device
4.3 Benefits of Proposed Solution
Apart from the four functions and features that were mentioned above, iHelp Adult GPS Tracker Device possesses even more advantages that could benefit the user.
iHelp Adult GPS Tracker Device has an additional feature, named fall detection. It will automatically contact the elderly person's respective caregivers when any fall or slippage is detected. This function is vital as seniors may become unconscious or physically incapable of pressing the button to alert their caregivers. The detection utilises the accelerometer and gyroscope to identify a fall more accurately. Furthermore, it contains an in-built motionless detection, to sense any abnormality when no movement is detected for a set amount of time.
On top of that, iHelp Adult GPS Tracker Device provides two-way communication through calls and text messages to up to five personnel with a press of the button. This allows the elder to instantly voice their troubles in times of need, without the use of another device.
Lastly, the device is also linked onto mobiles devices through the application, DS Tracker, to allow family members or caregivers to know and track the whereabouts of the elderly, in order to effectively identify the location of the elder in an emergency. (Refer to Appendix D)
4.4 Limitations of Proposed Solution
Despite the long battery life, iHelp Adult GPS Tracker Device still has to be charged every 2 to 3 days. Elderly could forget about the device after charging it, which may put them at risk once again. Furthermore, because of the miniature size of the device, senior citizens may risk losing it.
iHelp Adult GPS Tracker Device operates using prepaid Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card, which requires regular topping up when the amount runs low. Thus, caregivers will have to constantly check the available amount to ensure the device still has enough value to be used properly.
In order to provide the device to each and every elderly, the cost incurred would be too much for Ministry of Social and Family Developments and the households to afford.
4.5 Implementation
To evaluate the effectiveness of the selected alert device, there will be a trial programme. 25 elderlies would be selected to participate in the trial, where they will be equipped with the alert device for a month. There will be an assessment once every 2 weeks to collect various feedbacks to determine the reliability of the selected alert device. (Refer to Appendix E)
5 Alternative Solution
An alternative solution would be a wireless motion sensor which could be able to monitor senior citizens in real time and provide a timely alerts. Eldervists have chosen the Smart Activity Monitoring Service (SAMS) by M1, which will cost SGD $214 with a monthly subscription of SGD $14.66. SAMS works by monitoring the elder’s daily activities at home by using motion sensor detection and alerts the caregiver through text messages. SAMS consists of four main devices: wireless door sensor, wireless motion sensor, wireless portable panic button, and iNet mini smarthub. (Refer to Appendix F)
5.1 Benefits of Alternative Solution
The elder’s activity at home is monitored with wireless motion sensor and wireless door sensor. Caregivers will be notified if the elderly is out of the house, or have been inactive for a long time as there could be a possibility of an emergency that requires immediate attention.
SAMS also operates with Wi-Fi connection, eliminating the need for a SIM card. Without the need for a SIM card, there is lesser need to worry about losing mobile signal and failing of internet connection. Similar to iHelp Adult GPS Tracker Device, it has an in-built emergency button that allows a quick response from caregivers in an event of an emergency.
5.2 Limitations of Alternative Solution
A household will require more than one wireless motion sensor as there are many rooms such as the kitchen or toilet, which may end up becoming costly. Furthermore, because of the post-paid nature of the plan that costs a monthly subscription of $14.66, the cost will continue to be incurred and in the long run, may become too expensive.
As mentioned in the benefits of SAMS, it requires an internet connection to function. Hence, when the internet connection is down, the elderly will be unable to alert the caregivers when emergencies occur. Regular maintenance has to be conducted as well to keep the system in good working condition.
6 Methodology
Two different methods of research, primary and secondary, were conducted to allow our team to have a better understanding on the matter.
6.1 Primary Research
Interviews with 10 questions were conducted with three elderly for us to have a clearer understanding of the problem. Interviews are highly effective as our team got to interact directly with elderly who are facing the problems themselves. The information from the interview were thus very insightful. Please refer to Appendix G to J for the questionnaire and sample interviews.
6.2 Secondary Research
Secondary research weas conducted to obtain essential information required for us to efficiently prepare for and complete the proposal. The information gathered allowed us to identify the problem, come up with plausible solutions, judge the current situation with statistics and more.
7 Conclusion
The absence of any form of emergency alert system in a household where elderly are often alone is extremely perilous. Elderly will have no one present to assist them in an unfortunate event of a fall. The injury suffered could become fatal quickly if help does not come on time.
Thus, to overcome and to prevent such instances from occurring, we recommend iHelp Adult GPS Tracker Device to be distributed to senior citizens who are living alone or spend most of their time alone in their homes. The said device is proposed because it has a wide variety of features and functions, namely: fall detection, emergency button, Global Positioning System (GPS), long battery life, and water resistance.
The application of the trial is also accurately planned, to ensure the dependability and practicality of the selected product.
With the implementation of the proposal, we hope the emergency alert system becomes more prominent in Singapore, and eventually becoming imperative for senior citizens. Hence, rate of fatal accidents occurring in households when Singaporean senior citizens are alone in the house will be greatly minimised, or entirely eliminated.
Thank you for the clear revision.
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