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Android linked Medical Alert System?

K

KFay

Lurker
My 81 year old mother recently decided she wants a medical alert system ("I've fallen and I can't get up"). She has a Samsung Galaxy III and no home phone line. This limits her a lot! There are some systems available that use a wireless unit to call out. This is sometimes paired with a waterproof pendant or wrist band.
It seems as though there should be a pendant/wristband available that could communicate with her phone. This way she would only have to carry one device.
Does anyone know of such a system?

Thanks - Kathy
 
This is rather timely for me too as I'm in the same situation with my Dad (but here in the UK). He too has a mobile but no landline (oh, and he hasn't asked for a 'lifeline' but the rest of the family want him to have one!! ). I've looked at a few and talked to his doctor(s) and other medical and social care people but they all seem to rely on having a landline. The other thing to remember is could he/she manage to use it if they had fallen .....

But all suggestions welcome!

Dave
 
Know it ain't Android but, Microsoft are making a watch that can read your heartbeat, apparently.
Microsoft patents uber-cool smartwatch (and unlike smart bra, this may actually hit the market) : PERSONAL TECH : Tech Times
There's smart watches to look at, but I realise these are a bit expensive and are something else the elderly would have to learn to use effectively in an emergency situation.
Hopefully, it won't be much longer before affordable smart medical wrist bands that monitor heartbeat, have a button (push for 3 seconds) and voice detection that can be used in alerting emergency service... something like 3 calls for Help by the patient may trigger the call.
 
Kathy,
I am willing to work on a piece of hardware that will communicate over wifi / bluetooth with the android device. I would like to discuss your requirements in detail. Please do send me the details on ninadj@supreme-engg.com.

Regards,
Ninad
 
Thanks Ninad.
I was hoping for a button wristband or pendant that was commercially available.

I really don't know how it would communicate with the phone. Mainly, it would need a range of several hundred feet so she would still be OK if she had left the phone upstairs or in another room. Also, it would have to be waterproof since the shower is one of the main danger spots.

Ideally, she could use it away from home as well, if she fell or had a stroke and could not manage the phone.

The button would have to trigger the phone to call a number. It probably would have to be tied into a paid monitoring center (which is why it would have to be commercially available) since it would do no good if it called someone who did not answer their phone. I suppose it could dial 911, but the location might be hard to pin down for the 911 operator if she were unable to talk or not near her phone. Though I suppose it could use GPS to tell 911 somehow... Clearly, I don't know well enough how it all works to be able to figure out what is possible.

It just seems like some company would have filled this niche already. Especially with the rapidly aging population.

Kathy
 
Kathy,
The restrictive thing in using a service is that, you would have a monthly cost involved in keeping it active. I was suggesting on the lines of creating an free solution for people in need. here is what I am suggesting:

1. Use of Xbee to make the distress signal (can be active (range) over a mile from receiving station - usually a recieving Xbee)
2. Use of arduino board to relay distress call from xbee to a smart phone over bluetooth.
3. Phone will have an app that will use the distress signal to send out a call to authorities (like 911) and also send the gps location.
4. The hardware involved will cost about $150 to $250. (One time cost)
5. Additional numbers can be contacted using the app.
6. Start and Go type of deployment.

So this system will continue to work on its own without a monthly cost.

Additional features like
1. out of range warning on the pendant
2. low battery warning on pendant
3. fall detection on the pendant for auto-call (without button press)

can be incorporated without major additional cost.

I am seriously considering working on this project. I will keep you posted if I start any work.

Any inputs from you / forum members are welcome !

Regards,
Ninad
 
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