ALERT:Activities of Living, Engagement and Reporting Technology to enhance quality of life for rural older adults

The Problem and CreateAbility Concepts Inc.'s Proposed SolutionThe life expectancy of the average American continues to increase as does the average age inrural America. Older adults (people 65 years and older) of today live longer and seek moreindependence than their predecessors just a decade ago. With this increased desire forindependence comes a growing emphasis on maintaining health and function. Research showsthat maintaining activities of living (sleep quality and quantity nutrition hygiene mobility andtoileting) are key to achieving this goal.Rural older adults (24% of those over 65) are no exception to this trend. Unlike theircounterparts in urban areas rural seniors have shortcomings in these activities of living thattranslate to poorer health outcomes.Their low proximity to medical professionals home healthaids and non-medical care exacerbates this problem.The ALERT system a new technology under development by CreateAbility Concepts Inc. (anIndiana-based small business) in collaboration with the University of South Florida (USF)designed to fill the gap via an enhanced interactive system that engages the older adult in takinga more active role in activities of living and reduces sedentary tendencies—without leaving theirown communities.This project will demonstrate the technical feasibility and cost effectiveness of the ALERTsystem. The ALERT system combines interactive avatar technology with an innovative approachand state-of-the-art sensors and software to deliver an advanced system capable of engagingwith the older adult to achieve improved health outcomes for older rural Americans.Phase I objectives are: 1) determine end user requirements 2) develop a proof-of-conceptprototype of the ALERT system 3) conduct a pilot study to evaluate the prototype anddemonstrate feasibility and 4) asses the impact on rural areas.Phase II will focus on further development of the technology for seniors and the primary marketCommunity-Bases Service Companies (HBSC) who often provide care for seniors aging inplace.Phase II outcomes are expected to focus on demonstrating improved health outcomes(earlier identification of a problem reduced hospitalizations etc.) and reduction in costs forHBSCs (resulting in the ability to serve a larger market).Anticipated Results and Commercial ApplicationsAt the conclusion of this SBIR Project CreateAbility Concepts Inc. and its collaborators at USFwill have fully developed the ALERT system in preparation for commercialization. The demandfor the ALERT system is expected to be high among the target market HBSCs who want tohave a presence with their patient 24/7 even when they are not with them physically and be ableto enhance the coordination with the rural senior and minimize the risk of non-compliance ornon-safe behaviors.In addition to meeting the needs of HBSC's CreateAbility is confident willmeet the needs of seniors aging in place and will quickly become their preferred method of third- party monitoring for its enjoyment and ease of use. Engaging with older rural adults in thedevelopment of this technology from the ground up will ensure compliance.