Singapore’s rapidly ageing population is expected to double to 900,000 by 2030, posing many challenges and opportunities for society.
One of the key areas that needs attention is the home environment, where most seniors spend their time and where about 60% of falls occur.
Falls are the leading cause of injury among seniors in Singapore, accounting for more than 70% of all injury-related hospitalisations.
Elder-proofing the home can prevent or reduce the risk of falls and other injuries, and thus save the costs and consequences of medical treatment and hospitalisation.
It can also enhance the seniors’ mobility, independence, and dignity, and thus improve their physical and mental health, as well as provide peace of mind and convenience for the caregivers.
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Some of the living adjustments that can be made immediately have been well documented —using non-slip mats, highlighting steps and stairs, improving lighting, adding grab bars, among others.
Modern Smart home technologies can offer amazing benefits for seniors living independently, such as enhancing their safety, comfort, and convenience.
However, elder-proofing the home can also pose some challenges and barriers, such as the lack of awareness, knowledge, or skills, the cost and availability of resources, the resistance or reluctance of the seniors or their family members, and the suitability and sustainability of the solutions.
Therefore, it is important for seniors and their caregivers to work together in elder-proofing the home, while seeking professional help and support from various sources.
One such source to get you started is the Healthub website.
And while much has been written about this topic, we feel it is important for us to highlight some of the newer, more cutting-edge products and technologies available to help seniors navigate the travails of old age better.
Here are some examples of these:
1. Walk-in Bath Tubs
Walk-in bathtubs are designed with the safety and comfort of seniors in mind.
These bathtubs feature wide front access and outward opening doors for easy entry and exit, minimizing the risk of slips and fall and the non-slip seat and floor further enhance safety. Some models even offer spa-like experiences with hydrotherapy and BubbleMassage™ jets.
These walk-in tubs can be purchased from various outlets in Singapore and represent a thoughtful blend of design, functionality, and safety of senior citizens. Some companies offering this in Singapore include SingaporeBathtubs and KOHLER®.
2. Smart plugs
Smart plugs are a valuable tool for seniors in Singapore, providing a way to control and monitor home appliances remotely.
These devices can be plugged into any standard wall socket and allow the user to control the connected appliance via a smartphone app.
This means seniors can turn lights on and off, start or stop a fan, or even control a television without needing to physically reach for the switch.
- TP-Link Tapo P110 Smart Plug
The TP-Link Tapo P110 Smart Plug allows seniors to manage their appliances without needing to move around, which can be particularly beneficial for those with mobility issues.
The voice command compatibility provides an additional layer of convenience, while the energy monitoring feature help keep track of their power usage and manage their electricity bills more effectively while the Away Mode can enhance home security, providing peace of mind for seniors living alone.
Its compact design and easy setup make it user-friendly for seniors.
- Belkin WeMo Wi-Fi Smart Plug
The Belkin WeMo Wi-Fi Smart Plug is a compact device that allows seniors to control home appliances remotely. It is also compatible with Apple, Alexa, and Google, enabling voice-controlled operation for added convenience.
3. Medication Management Systems
While there are no personal automated medication systems available for seniors in Singapore, there are several automated medication dispensers available in the global market that can help seniors manage their medication more effectively and safely at home.
- Hero Medication Dispenser
The Hero Medication Dispenser dispenses medications from a countertop smart dispenser and lets you manage them with a mobile app.
The device is about the size of a coffee maker and operates on a 2.4GHz frequency and requires Wi-Fi to connect with the app. You can set up the schedule and dose for each of your medications using the app.
The device can load up to a 90-day supply of your meds, and you can follow prompts on the Hero smart dispenser screen to load up all your medications.
- Lifeline Medication Dispenser
The Lifeline Medication Dispenser can store and dispense up to 60 doses of your pills, with up to 6 doses per day. You can customise the dose cups to fit different combinations of pills.
The device will alert you when it is time to take your medication and help you avoid medication mistakes.
4. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered Smart Home Care Systems
As mentioned earlier, falls are a common cause of injury among seniors, and can lead to serious health complications.
Products and services with fall detection and sleep monitoring features can help seniors maintain their independence and safeguard their health.
- RDI Home
RDI Home which detects when a fall occurs or when there is a long period of inactivity and sends a notification to a community of carers to inform them of a fall.
- SmartPeep
SmartPeep is an AI health-tech company that provides contact-free monitoring systems for patients and seniors, especially those who are prone to falls or have low mobility.
- HomeAuto Solutions Smart Care
HomeAuto Solutions Smart Care is designed to help the elderly and disabled keep up with their daily activities and household concerns. The system uses smart home devices such as voice control settings and the HomeAuto app to make it easier for users to manage their homes.
5. AI-Powered Companions: Combating Loneliness and Enhancing Social Interaction
Loneliness and social isolation can negatively impact seniors mental and physical health- especially for those living on their own.
AI-powered companions address this concern by providing companionship and engagement.
These robots engage in natural conversations, play games, and offer reminders, promoting social interaction and cognitive stimulation, while also providing personalised care tailored to seniors unique needs.
There are several AI-powered companions available for seniors that can help them maintain their independence and improve their quality of life.
- Catalia Health Mabu
Catalia Health Mabu is a cloud-based platform that utilises artificial intelligence (AI) to engage in personalised conversations with patients, providing support, education, and reminders about their medication adherence, symptom management, and overall health status.
Mabu’s friendly and approachable appearance, with its small yellow body and expressive eyes, helps to create a sense of connection and trust with patients. Its AI-powered conversations are tailored to each individual’s needs and preferences, ensuring that patients receive relevant and timely information.
- Intuition Robotics ElliQ
Intuition Robotics ElliQ is a proactive, voice-operated care companion that initiates conversations, asks questions, suggests activities, provides reminders, and more.
ElliQ is there for older adults throughout the day, and is powered by breakthrough AI that was years in development.
6. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) for Social Engagement:
VR and AR technologies are being explored as tools to enhance social connections and provide seniors with engaging and immersive experiences.
While not specifically to help with engaging seniors at home, it’s still important to know that such services are available here.
- Cycling Without Age Singapore
Cycling Without Age Singapore uses virtual reality to provide a trishaw tour experience to seniors from the comfort of their own nursing homes. The initiative was meant to help the elderly “get back on their bicycles”.
However, due to aging mobility issues, its founder Ole Kassow found the solution in trishaws, offering free rides to local nursing home residents.
A research study conducted by SingHealth Polyclinics (SHP) and Duke-NUS Medical School (Duke-NUS) has demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of using Virtual Reality (VR) to screen for cognitive impairment in older adults.
- Hidden.sg
Hidden.sg is a platform that offers immersive adventure games for seniors in Singapore. The games are fun, engaging, and accessible, and they help seniors stay healthy, happy, and connected.
The games make seniors walk and explore their surroundings, boosting their physical fitness and well-being. The games also make seniors solve puzzles and think creatively, keeping their minds sharp and preventing cognitive decline.
It allows seniors to play in groups, reducing social isolation and fostering meaningful interactions. The games teach seniors about Singapore’s history and culture, enhancing their sense of community and belonging.
Hidden.sg is a great way for seniors to improve their lives by playing games that are suitable for all ages and abilities.
While these innovative technologies and products help enhance the safety and well-being of our aging population, we understand that costs can be a determining factor.
There are a number of government subsidies and programs available to help seniors with the cost of home modifications and other related expenses.
These include (but not restricted to):
- Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE): This programme offers subsidies of up to 95% to instal improvement items such as grab bars, slip-resistant bathroom floors, ramps, and wheelchair lifters to make the home more elderly-friendly.
- Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF): This fund provides subsidies of up to 90% for the cost of mobility aids such as walking sticks, wheelchairs, and motorised scooters. It also covers home healthcare items such as milk feeds, diapers, wound dressings, and oxygen concentrators.
- Home Caregiving Grant (HCG): This grant provides a monthly cash payout of $200 to support caregivers of seniors who need permanent assistance with at least three activities of daily living (ADLs). The grant can be used to defray the costs of caregiving expenses, such as hiring a home care service or purchasing consumables.
Transforming your home into a haven for seniors is not only a smart move, but also a rewarding one. With some foresight and creativity, you can turn your home into a cozy and secure sanctuary for seniors.
