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One of Maui AgeWave’s objectives is to offer new solutions for care to individuals with disabilities as well as people who are aging at home.  Transporting patients, especially those that require extra care, is not an affordable solution, nor is it necessary because many of these visits can be done via readily available telecare solutions. 

According to new research by the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project, about 11% of adult mobile phone users in the U.S. have downloaded an application that helps them track or manage their own health. (MobiHealthNews)

For Californians, state law just changed in October, making home-based teleheath care of many types not only feasible, but reimbursable.

Three fourths of American consumers would use teleheath services to track their conditions and vital signs and half are willing to seek health care through the Internet or other computer technology in place of a face- to-face visit during non-emergencies. (Health Research Institute)

Preferred characteristics of in-home telecare should include: limited number of patient transports, seamless health plans for evolving  patient conditions, provider coordinated monitoring of patient, safety/security home monitoring as needed, use of family care providers if possible, medication management and aging in place as long as possible

One by one, home teleheath systems vendors are providing their care through hospitals and physician clinics which are beginning to follow their own patients.

Results of a three year study by the VA, showed that in home patient telecare programs shorten the length of hospital stays by 25% and reduce rates of admission by 19% or more. By spending $1700 per patient, they avoided $77,000 in nursing home costs. More than 10,000 studies have been done by other entities showing similar results.

 Ideal Life kiosks are designed to be used in high-volume traffic areas such as community centers, libraries, schools, employer facilities, living centers, gyms, health clinics and physician offices. Two-way, interactive technology allows individuals to pro-actively regulate their health through education and self-management.

Maui AgeWave and Interactive Care LLC funded a project with Hawaii Department of Health-Maui using Interactive Care Technology designed to reach the frail and elderly. The project was designed to supplement regular public health nurse visits with web cam and voice telecare visits.  Specific areas of care delivery were skin, behavioral, motion/gait and chronic disease management. A total of 48 visits were completed in a variety of senior residences on Maui.  Many of the elders who were initially surprised to see their own image and that of the PHN nurse side-by-side on the laptop screen soon became accustomed  to the special attention they received and the value of the “visit”. Providers noted the value of seeing the holistic view of the patient beyond monitoring devices alone. The wireless internet connections used also gave providers “hands on” experiences in adapting to  the variable  internet bandwidths available.
 

Technology innovations continue to emerge for use by patients, caregivers, physicians, nurses and families.  These solutions are creating new opportunities to assist young and old alike.  These emerging solutions especially have relevance with elderly and persons with disabilities, as they provide remote assistance which can help people remain in the communities they love and avoid institutions when possible. Telecare platforms and devices can connect providers and families in new ways and span time and distance in ways previously unimaginable.  Here are some of the things these exciting technologies can do:

Patient Monitoring Devices are available from a variety of companies. The most often used measures are:  glucose, weight, blood pressure, heart rhythm-rate, oxygen saturation, fall prevention, medication monitoring or dispensing .These devices report in-home readings directly to a physician, nurse or caregiver via phones or the internet. Some systems provide the ability for the family to be connected with the telecare monitoring and enable remote discussions of patient care among family members and care providers. 

Home Monitoring Devices include lighting management, room temperature, motion detectors, door functions, wakeups, eating reminders, intruder alarms and electronic security alarms. These devices assist in providing greater safety for the patient and giving connected caregivers a sense of comfort for their loved one.  

Patient Visits typically use a small portable web cam and two-way audio/visual to connect patients with their physicians or nurses using laptops and the internet. The use of these televisits to replace some of the live visits to the clinic or doctor’s office, reduce transport costs, family time and the anxiety that transports cause for some patients.

With a very special interest in utilizing the burgeoning availability of broadband, and leveraging creative uses of available technology and social media, MAW is hopeful that these technologies will assist the most rural areas in Maui and Hawaii provide health related services.

Smart phones, monitoring devices, systems, tablets, and software platforms offer new ways of self managing and care giving.  By incorporating state-of-the-art technology and HIPAA compliant solutions to projects in creative ways, Maui AgeWave works hard to put technology to use in ways that enhance connectivity of people to the support services they need.

Maui AgeWave embraces the paradigm of connecting people with services more frequently and more efficiently and maximizing resources in the process.  We are prepared to assist businesses, the public sector, educators or non-profits develop and explore new ideas involved in forward thinking uses of technology for purposes of remote care.  

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