Technology-enabled care could save state millions, say Lero researchers

Two-year research programme brings academics, practitioners, industry experts together to enhance care for seniors

Life

Pictured: Mick Guinee, Ei Electronics; Prof Ita Richardson, Lero; Kevin Moore and Mike Keegan, Ei Electronics; Katie Crowley and Derek Ross, Lero; Ann-Marie Morrissey, UL

Improving technology-enabled home care for older people prevent falls in seniors – especially those over 65 – could save the state €500 million. This is one of the goals of a new interdisciplinary research programme at Lero, the University of Limerick-based research centre for software.

A two-year €140,000 research programme focussing on technology-enabled care (TEC) in home environments is being part-funded by Shannon-headquartered Ei Electronics, one of Ireland’s leading indigenous electronics manufacturing and exporting companies, employing 1,250 worldwide.

Lero researcher Associate Professor Katie Crowley, who is also attached to The Ageing Research Centre (ARC) at the University of Limerick (UL), said: “The National Health Service in the UK report that approximately one in three adults over 65 years and half of people over 80 will have at least one fall a year.

Dr Crowley, who lectures in the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems at UL, added: “In Ireland, the economic impact of falls is €500 million annually, according to data from the Health Service Executive. For the elderly, having a fear of falling significantly increases the chance of having a fall, and emerging evidence suggests that having monitoring technology reduces this fear, leading to improved mobility for the older person.”

The Lero team also includes Dr Ann-Marie Morrissey, who brings occupational therapy expertise to the project and Ei Electronics head of research and development Mike Keegan, whose work in connected health, driverless vehicles, smart communities, and other areas is world-leading.

“At Ei Electronics, we are all about deploying dependable technologies to improve people’s living environment today and into the future. Where lives are at risk, especially among older adults living independently, nothing can be left to chance, and we hope this programme can make life less stressful for those living by themselves and those supporting that independence,” said Keegan.

TechCentral Reporters

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