Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
security. An intelligent system may issue a reminder to switch off devices and/or lights
in an apartment or not to forget medicines or the mobile terminal needed to inform
friends or neighbours where necessary. Additionally, remote monitoring of devices of
potential sources of danger increases the individual sense of security and can make life
much easier and more comfortable (e.g. checking whether the stove or the coffee
machine has been switched off and to be able to turn it off remotely if necessary).
2.4.1.
Open issues
Although many solutions and products are already available on the market, a number of
open issues remain that need attention and careful research and development in order to
meet central user requirements. Issues that need to be addressed include:
technical solutions should be suited to individual requirements, personal
preferences and habits;
•
ease of use is essential for user acceptance;
•
support of users through the complete supply chain: implementation,
configurations and adjustments, during operation, coping with system errors,
malfunctioning of components etc.;
•
privacy, data integrity and reliability of sensors and systems are essential for
acceptance of the technical solutions.
•
Furthermore, mechanisms and processes for third-party-service provisioning are clearly
needed for a wide and sustainable market penetration.
2.4.2.
Safety in the face of specific threats
Older people, especially those who are elderly and frail, are one of the groups of a
population that is most vulnerable to accidents, particularly in and around the home.
In the UK the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) asserts that
every year about one in eight of those attending hospital following a home accident are
aged 65 and over. Many of the fatal and non-fatal accidents to older people are
attributable wholly or in part to frailty and failing health (RoSPA, 2004).
Poor mobility, a poor sense of smell and a reduced tolerance of smoke and burns
contribute to fire-related accidents. Medicines and gases, mainly carbon monoxide and
pipeline gas, are the main causes of accidental poisoning of people aged over 65.
Older people are at greatest risk of fatal injuries from burns and scalds - four to
five times greater than the population as a whole. Pre-existing conditions often
contribute to their death. Contact burns to those over 65 can prove fatal. The frail and
poor health of victims is often contributing factors. The main sources of heat include
radiators, electric fires and cookers. Many are scald injuries, involving the use of
kettles.
The great majority of both fatal and non-fatal accidents involving older people are
falls. Almost three-quarters of falls, among those aged 65 and over, result in arm, leg
and shoulder injuries. Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature falls below
35 °C. It is the main contributing factor in the cause of death for over 400 people in the
over-65 age group each year in the UK. Older people are also more likely to injure
more than one part of their body, with 25% of falls causing injury to more than one part
of the body, compared with an average 16% among all age groups. One in every five
