TECHTONIC
TECH FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
02.03.2018
Savio D’Souza and Ashutosh Desai tell you about gadgets and gizmos that helps seniors lead independent healthy lives…
MOBILE, KEY TRACKER
Aging comes with its own challenges. People tend to forget where they’ve kept things like their keys and mobile phones, and this often leads to a frantic search. The Motorola P1500 (₹830) is a tiny device—slightly larger than a matchbox—that comes with a 1500mAh rechargeable battery and a metal link to attach your house and car keys. After you connect the device to the Motorola Connect app on your Android smartphone via Bluetooth, you can use the app to locate the keys if they’ve been misplaced or lost.
All you need to do is use the app to ping the P1500 and—if it is within Bluetooth rangeit sounds an audible alarm to help you trace it. You can also use the app to see the lastknown location of your keys on a map. Alternatively, you can use the P1500 to trace your smartphone. Just press the button on its side to ping your handset. The gizmo also comes with a microUSB port that allows you to juice your smartphone batteries in case of emergencies.
DOOR CAMERA
Instead of the conventional peephole, consider a door camera for added security. The Zicom Video Door Phone (₹8,500) comprises an outdoor unit that houses a doorbell, night vision camera, microphone and a speaker, as well as a 7-inch colour display for indoors. The former sports a tamper-proof metal body and can be mounted at an angle to make it inconspicuous. The display has controls to adjust brightness, contrast and volume level.
You can also consider the Godrej Security Solutions Solus 4.3 Lite (₹7,000), which offers similar features. You get a smaller 4.3-inch colour display, but it can be connected to two door bells.
Both setups will let you see who is outside without opening the door, and allow for two-way communication. Note that they will need to be set up by a technician and you may be charged for installation.
PAIN RELIEF
For aching backs and necks, you might want to take a dekko at the Dr Trust 3D Cushion Massager (₹2,000) – a portable device that has six shiatsu balls inside it that rotate to give a deep tissue massage. You also get a controller to switch between two massage modes and heat intensities.
Then there is the Omron Pain Relief TENS PM3030 (₹3,800), which uses electrotherapy to provide relief to stiff and sore muscles. It consists of a palm-sized controller and two reusable self-adhesive pads. The former lets you choose from three pain modes, with up to five intensity levels, to transmit mild currents to stimulate nerves and muscles – on the lower back, arms, shoulders, legs and hips – to alleviate pain.
PILL REMINDER
If you constantly forget to take your medication on time or even if you have senior citizens and children under your supervision, install the Medisafe Pill Reminder & Medication Tracker app for Android and iOS handsets. This app lets you set reminders for all your medications, along with their dosage, type (whether pill, drops, spray, etc), and the time they are to be taken. If you enter the number of pills you have in stock, the app will even tell you when you are running out, so you can refill your prescription. Medisafe lets you store contact details of your doctors, medical appointments and pathology reports.
While Medisafe is for the phone, you can also keep the MedCenter Medication Reminder (₹3,800) by the bedside. The clock has a large, backlit digital display; it can also read the time out when the “Talk” button is pressed and has two loudness settings. It can be configured to sound a pre-recorded voice reminder four times a day – morning, afternoon, evening, night – every day. The alert is played continuously at intervals until the “Alarm Acknowledged” button is pressed to confirm that the medication has been taken.
WEIGHING SCALE
If you have to follow a strict diet then you should invest in a “body composition monitor”. The Omron HBF-212 (₹3,000) can calculate body fat percentage, visceral fat percentage, skeletal muscle percentage and resting metabolism. However, its display and controls are set on its measuring surface. The Omron HBF-375 (₹8,000), on the other hand, has a retractable handle and display that lets you see your readings at eye level.
Both scales use the bioelectric impedance (BI) method to calculate these percentage values. This is deduced by measuring the body’s electric conductivity, in relation to the age, height and weight of the user. Both scales can store data for up to four users for 90 days, and are powered by four AAA batteries that will last you for a nearly a year when used to measure 2-4 times a day.
WIRELESS CAMERA
You can also install a wireless network camera to keep a watch over family members who depend on you, even when you’re not at home. For installation, you will need a Wi-Fi router with a broadband connection. The camera connects to this wireless device to stream recordings of its surroundings to your laptop or smartphone.
The D-Link DCS-933L (₹2,900) is a video camera that includes motion detection and infrared LEDs for low-light recording. It is easy to set up; live views can be accessed via its app for Android and iOS handsets, and it can also be configured to send you e-mail alerts with snapshots and video footage.
Alternatively, check out the
Sricam SP Series SP005
(₹2,700). It is a motorised camera, which can be controlled to pan horizontally and vertically via its Android/iOS app and PC software, to cover more area. It boasts of IR night vision; twoway audio communication and can save footage to an SD card.
EMERGENCY LIGHT
Most injuries in seniors are caused from falls, and illuminated surroundings can help to prevent tripping over obstacles in the dark. Here, the Juvo Wonderlite Torch (₹1,090) and the Juvo Wonderlite (₹800) can help.
Both devices come with LED lights that are automatically activated by a motion sensor even in pitch darkness. The lights switch off automatically after 30 seconds giving you enough time to reach for a light switch.
The Wonderlight Torch can also be used as a flashlight. Simply take it out of its holster and carry it in the ‘ON’ position. Both devices can be hung on a wall, attached in bathrooms, bedrooms and cupboards, or by the main door—via the included dual-sided sticky tape.
The Wonderlites come with a 12-month warranty and do not require any wiring. In the box pack, you also get standard pencil cell batteries that promise you up to a year of use before they need to be replaced.
TECH FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
02.03.2018
Savio D’Souza and Ashutosh Desai tell you about gadgets and gizmos that helps seniors lead independent healthy lives…
MOBILE, KEY TRACKER
Aging comes with its own challenges. People tend to forget where they’ve kept things like their keys and mobile phones, and this often leads to a frantic search. The Motorola P1500 (₹830) is a tiny device—slightly larger than a matchbox—that comes with a 1500mAh rechargeable battery and a metal link to attach your house and car keys. After you connect the device to the Motorola Connect app on your Android smartphone via Bluetooth, you can use the app to locate the keys if they’ve been misplaced or lost.
All you need to do is use the app to ping the P1500 and—if it is within Bluetooth rangeit sounds an audible alarm to help you trace it. You can also use the app to see the lastknown location of your keys on a map. Alternatively, you can use the P1500 to trace your smartphone. Just press the button on its side to ping your handset. The gizmo also comes with a microUSB port that allows you to juice your smartphone batteries in case of emergencies.
DOOR CAMERA
Instead of the conventional peephole, consider a door camera for added security. The Zicom Video Door Phone (₹8,500) comprises an outdoor unit that houses a doorbell, night vision camera, microphone and a speaker, as well as a 7-inch colour display for indoors. The former sports a tamper-proof metal body and can be mounted at an angle to make it inconspicuous. The display has controls to adjust brightness, contrast and volume level.
You can also consider the Godrej Security Solutions Solus 4.3 Lite (₹7,000), which offers similar features. You get a smaller 4.3-inch colour display, but it can be connected to two door bells.
Both setups will let you see who is outside without opening the door, and allow for two-way communication. Note that they will need to be set up by a technician and you may be charged for installation.
PAIN RELIEF
For aching backs and necks, you might want to take a dekko at the Dr Trust 3D Cushion Massager (₹2,000) – a portable device that has six shiatsu balls inside it that rotate to give a deep tissue massage. You also get a controller to switch between two massage modes and heat intensities.
Then there is the Omron Pain Relief TENS PM3030 (₹3,800), which uses electrotherapy to provide relief to stiff and sore muscles. It consists of a palm-sized controller and two reusable self-adhesive pads. The former lets you choose from three pain modes, with up to five intensity levels, to transmit mild currents to stimulate nerves and muscles – on the lower back, arms, shoulders, legs and hips – to alleviate pain.
PILL REMINDER
If you constantly forget to take your medication on time or even if you have senior citizens and children under your supervision, install the Medisafe Pill Reminder & Medication Tracker app for Android and iOS handsets. This app lets you set reminders for all your medications, along with their dosage, type (whether pill, drops, spray, etc), and the time they are to be taken. If you enter the number of pills you have in stock, the app will even tell you when you are running out, so you can refill your prescription. Medisafe lets you store contact details of your doctors, medical appointments and pathology reports.
While Medisafe is for the phone, you can also keep the MedCenter Medication Reminder (₹3,800) by the bedside. The clock has a large, backlit digital display; it can also read the time out when the “Talk” button is pressed and has two loudness settings. It can be configured to sound a pre-recorded voice reminder four times a day – morning, afternoon, evening, night – every day. The alert is played continuously at intervals until the “Alarm Acknowledged” button is pressed to confirm that the medication has been taken.
WEIGHING SCALE
If you have to follow a strict diet then you should invest in a “body composition monitor”. The Omron HBF-212 (₹3,000) can calculate body fat percentage, visceral fat percentage, skeletal muscle percentage and resting metabolism. However, its display and controls are set on its measuring surface. The Omron HBF-375 (₹8,000), on the other hand, has a retractable handle and display that lets you see your readings at eye level.
Both scales use the bioelectric impedance (BI) method to calculate these percentage values. This is deduced by measuring the body’s electric conductivity, in relation to the age, height and weight of the user. Both scales can store data for up to four users for 90 days, and are powered by four AAA batteries that will last you for a nearly a year when used to measure 2-4 times a day.
WIRELESS CAMERA
You can also install a wireless network camera to keep a watch over family members who depend on you, even when you’re not at home. For installation, you will need a Wi-Fi router with a broadband connection. The camera connects to this wireless device to stream recordings of its surroundings to your laptop or smartphone.
The D-Link DCS-933L (₹2,900) is a video camera that includes motion detection and infrared LEDs for low-light recording. It is easy to set up; live views can be accessed via its app for Android and iOS handsets, and it can also be configured to send you e-mail alerts with snapshots and video footage.
Alternatively, check out the
Sricam SP Series SP005
(₹2,700). It is a motorised camera, which can be controlled to pan horizontally and vertically via its Android/iOS app and PC software, to cover more area. It boasts of IR night vision; twoway audio communication and can save footage to an SD card.
EMERGENCY LIGHT
Most injuries in seniors are caused from falls, and illuminated surroundings can help to prevent tripping over obstacles in the dark. Here, the Juvo Wonderlite Torch (₹1,090) and the Juvo Wonderlite (₹800) can help.
Both devices come with LED lights that are automatically activated by a motion sensor even in pitch darkness. The lights switch off automatically after 30 seconds giving you enough time to reach for a light switch.
The Wonderlight Torch can also be used as a flashlight. Simply take it out of its holster and carry it in the ‘ON’ position. Both devices can be hung on a wall, attached in bathrooms, bedrooms and cupboards, or by the main door—via the included dual-sided sticky tape.
The Wonderlites come with a 12-month warranty and do not require any wiring. In the box pack, you also get standard pencil cell batteries that promise you up to a year of use before they need to be replaced.
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