Introduction

The one inescapable reality of human existence is the slow and mostly irreversible decay of the human body (the efforts of the Los Angeles plastic surgeons notwithstanding). Before people die, they grow old. And they need care. And cultures all over the world have struggled with this. The ancient rural Japanese had a tradition of carrying the old who were not expected to outlast the winter to the top of a hill where they would hopefully die quickly in a state of prayer. India still has a culture where families who can’t afford to take care of their seniors take them to places called “Mukti Bhavans” (salvation houses) where they can spend their last weeks or months. Improved healthcare over the last century has increasingly ensured that, with increased lifetime expectancy, population pyramids are getting inverted and becoming top heavy. Most affluent countries now face a dwindling productive population taking care of an overhang of economically unproductive people. We don’t carry them to the tops of mountains anymore. So, to make matters worse, most retirees are being left behind at home every day while the younger generation slog it out at work for insane hours.

 “Livin’ The Dream”, right? There is therefore growing interest in developing innovative solutions that empower seniors to maintain their independence and live comfortably in their own homes. Aging in place has become a significant goal for many older adults, and next-gen home designs are trying to incorporate the integration of telehealth and remote patient monitoring into their blueprints to make this aspiration a reality. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of designing homes that support aging in place, with a focus on the integration of telehealth and remote patient monitoring.

Aging in Place: A Desire for Independence

As a concept, Aging in place refers to the ability of seniors to continue to live in their own homes and maintain their autonomy and dignity as they grow older. It is motivated by the human desire for independence and the preservation of familiar surroundings, routines, and relationships. As the proportion of seniors in the population continues to grow,  the need for technological innovation that enables seniors to age gracefully in their own homes is also increasing at an exponential rate.

The Role of Telehealth in Aging in Place

Telehealth, which encompasses a whole range of remote healthcare services including virtual doctor appointments, medication management, and remote monitoring of vital signs, has emerged as a significant transformative influence in support of  aging in place. Using the various applications and technologies included in the Telehealth portfolio,  seniors can conveniently access healthcare services and consultations from the comfort of their homes, obviating the need for frequent hospital or clinic visits.  Adult children, even the most well-meaning of them, can sometimes fail  to keep the medical appointments of their homebound parents (we all have nasty bosses now) or help them adhere to medication schedules; Telehealth takes away that pressure. And basically saves and extends the lives of the homebound pensioners. 

Remote Patient Monitoring: A Key Component

One major determinant of successfully aging in place with telehealth is remote patient monitoring.  Healthcare providers are able to keep a close watch on a patient’s health status without having to ask them to come into the clinic for frequent in-person check-ups. A holistic combination of devices that incorporate wearable sensors with smart home technology and healthcare apps creates a virtual data environment in which seniors are continuously connected to their healthcare team and monitored on the go.

Designing Homes for Aging in Place with Telehealth

To design, construct and build homes that incorporate aging in place concepts of telehealth and remote patient monitoring, we need architects and builders to be aware of several important considerations:

Smart Home Integration: A holistic home health solution would incorporate smart devices that facilitate telehealth interactions, such as voice-activated assistants that schedule appointments or adjust home settings, motion sensors that can detect and reports accidents and falls and automatically call 911 for help, and video communication systems that allow the GP or consultant to haver virtual consultation sessions.

Accessibility: The daily routine of an ailing pensioner can be an emotionally taxing series of frustrations. Places around that lovingly built house that used to be within easy reach are no longer accessible. Favourite rooms and loved views get out of reach. A clever architect can contribute immensely to the physical and emotional well-being of these house-bound seniors by incorporating design elements that ensure accessibility;  features like wheelchair ramps, wider doorways, and handrails to accommodate mobility challenges can prove to be paradigm shifters for these old folks.

Telehealth Stations: Physical spaces equipped with the necessary technology and lighting that are specifically designed and dedicated   for telehealth consultations to be conducted r comfortably and privately can be an empowering contribution to the well-being of the seniors in care.

Internet Connectivity: Well, that’s a given, isn’t it? Without connectivity, all of the rest is just hot air. Ensuring reliable and robust internet connectivity throughout the home to support seamless telehealth services is really non-negotiable.

Conclusion

Designing tomorrow’s homes for aging in place with telehealth and remote patient monitoring is not only an innovative approach but also a compassionate one. It allows seniors to age on their own terms, surrounded by the familiar comforts of their home while receiving the necessary healthcare support. The integration of telehealth and remote patient monitoring ensures that seniors can access healthcare services when needed, promoting their well-being and independence. As technology continues to advance and architects incorporate these solutions into home design, the future of aging in place looks brighter than ever.