It’s a concern that all health care systems face; as the Baby Boomers age, their needs for medical / pharmaceutical support increases. Everyone is looking for a way to ease the pressure on the system, while still delivering and meeting the healthcare needs of the growing population of seniors. Through all of the studies and research, several things stand out.
- Many of the visits to the doctor’s office or emergency room are for issues that are easily avoided, such as forgetting to take or renew medication.
- People have a better chance at full recovery from ailments, if they are able to recover in their homes
- Preventative steps taken to remove the need for an ambulance, a visit to emergency and a hospital bed can save the healthcare system Millions of dollars.
Last month I wrote about Medeo, a videoconference style web/mobile app that allows a person to connect to physician for things as simple as medical referrals or prescription renewals. While Medeo removes the need to make a trip to the doctor’s office to get a prescription or consultation, it’s not there to make sure that you actually take your medication. That little piece of the puzzle, however, is now covered by simple piece interactive and socially networked technology created by Claris Healthcare, called the Claris Companion.
Decades of Experience Behind The Development
The creator of the Claris Companion concept is no stranger to the medical field. Geof Auchinleck has over 30 years in the medical device industry, doing everything from creating surgical tools for Laparoscopic surgery to developing the now industry standard blood management application, BloodTrack. After selling his company, Neoteric Technology, back in 2009, he entered into his own retirement years. When talking with Geof, for this post, it wasn’t hard to understand why that idea went by the wayside in short order. This is a man that has a real passion for creating industry changing tools. Using the needs of his own mother as an example, Claris Companion was born.
Not a Healthcare Device
Claris Companion lives up to its name. It is a simple tablet, mounted in what looks like a nice standalone picture frame, that acts as a constant household companion, connecting you to family and friends, reminding you to take medications or attend certain appointments and, probably most important, alert family/friends when something is not as it should be. It’s a non-intrusive observation platform that allows seniors the ability to remain independent and live their lives without feeling like they are being “managed”.
Auchinleck is quick to point out that the Companion is not a ‘healthcare device’. “This is a Social Device with a medical capacity”, he says. “The emphasis is on the Social interactions, whether it be communicating with a family member about how their day has been going, or connecting with a pharmacist to ask about a medication, it is there to keep a senior connected to their world outside their home.”
Simple and Connected
What stands out the most about the Claris Companion is its simple and easy to use interface. Large, easy to read buttons on the screen allows access to event and medication reminders, message services, video chat, photo galleries, Check-In (great way to let your family know that you are up around) and my personal favourite, the “Call Me” button, that sends a text message to a loved one, asking them to call you. I know my Mom would LOVE that one. It is far from being a ‘dumbed down’ computer, as all it is really doing is taking a number of tedious processes (that we often take for granted) out of the mix. The device currently connects to the Internet via home Wi-Fi, but cellular solutions are being negotiated with service providers. Secure data encryption is built into the device and each account comes with it’s own email, that is filtered and helps protect seniors from scams and phishing attempts. Multi-language interfaces are currently being developed as are agreements with Medeo (for video chat with your family physician) and pharmacies (for prescription renewals and refills right from the tablet).
The future of this device goes beyond the home. Adding the device into assisted living or care homes is on the horizon, integrating it into the care management system that exists today. By doing this it allows families to stay connected to their senior members and help them stay an active part of their mental and physical well-being.
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