Using smart technonolgy for health ageing. A lecture on how to age healthyily, safely and enjoy our lives

1. Smart Tech Can Teach Old Dogs
New Tricks
Empowering the Elderly through Technology
Vaikunthan Rajaratnam
Senior Consultant Hand Surgeon, KTPH, Singapore,
Adjunct Professor & UNESCO Chair Partner,
Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Malaysia.
9 December 2023

2. Why bother with healthy ageing?
Continual
Learning for
Cognitive
Health:
• Lifelong
learning
delays
cognitive
decline and
promotes
quality of life
Creating for
Social Well-
being:
• Engaging in
activities that
contribute to
others
enhances
purpose
Ikigai for
Holistic Well-
being:
• Embracing
everyday joys
and values
Physical Health
through Active
Lifestyle:
• Moderate
physical
activities
improve
longevity and
quality
Resilience
in Aging:
• Ikigai aids in
adapting to
age-related
changes

3. Empower the future with your
wisdom:
your experience is a gift to the
world.
What You
Love
(Passion):
Activities that
bring joy and
satisfaction.
Hobbies or
interests that
one is deeply
passionate
about.
What You Are
Good At
(Profession):
Skills or
talents that
an individual
excels in.
Capabilities
that are both
recognised
and valued by
oneself and
others.
What the
World Needs
(Mission):
Contributions that
can positively
impact society or
the environment.
Services or
actions that are
beneficial and
meaningful to
the community.
What You
Can Be Paid
For
(Vocation):
Work or
activities
that can
generate
income.
Professional
skills or
services that
are
marketable
and in
demand.

4. Smart technology
Helpful Digital Companion
Intelligent Gadgets and Apps
Scheduling and Reminders
Communications
Digital Help
Enhancing, Protecting, Entertaining

5. My Promise
By the end of this talk, you'll
have many cool, easy-to-use
tech tips and tricks up your
sleeve, ready to make your
everyday life more fun,
safer, and super
connected!

7. Demographics and Technology Trends
• Statistics on elderly technology use
• Emerging trends

8. Barriers to Technology Adoption
Physical
Cognitive
Literacy
challenges

9. The Need for Inclusive Design
Text Size and
Contrast:
Colour Choices: High Contrast:
Screen Readers:
Simple and
Intuitive Use
Low Physical
Effort:
Perceptible
Information:
Flexibility in
Use:
Equitable Use:

10. •Devices worn as pendants or wristbands that allow the user to call for help at the push of a button.
•Examples: Life Alert, MobileHelp, and Medical Guardian.
Personal Emergency Response
Systems (PERS):
•Devices that dispense the right amount of medication at designated times.
•Examples: MedMinder, Hero, and Philips Medication Dispensing.
Automatic Pill Dispensers:
•Wearable devices that track health metrics such as heart rate, sleep patterns, and physical activity.
•Examples: Fitbit, Apple Watch, and Garmin fitness trackers.
Health Monitoring Wearables:
•Apps and services that enable virtual consultations with healthcare professionals.
•Examples: Teladoc, Amwell, and MDLIVE.
Telehealth Platforms:
•Devices and associated applications for tracking and managing blood pressure levels.
•Examples: Omron Connect, QardioArm, and Withings Blood Pressure Monitor.
Blood Pressure Monitors and
Apps:
•Devices that measure blood sugar levels with accompanying apps to track trends over time.
•Examples: Accu-Chek Guide, FreeStyle Libre, and Dexcom G6.
Blood Glucose Meters and
Apps:
•Smartwatches with built-in emergency response features and health monitoring.
•Examples: Apple Watch with fall detection, Samsung Galaxy Watch3, and MobileHelp Smart.
Medical Alert Smartwatches:
•Applications that encourage physical activity and provide exercise routines suitable for the elderly.
•Examples: SilverSneakers GO, Senior Fitness Workouts, and Tai Chi for Seniors.
Activity and Exercise Apps:
•Apps designed to enhance cognitive function through games and exercises.
•Examples: Lumosity, CogniFit, and BrainHQ.
Cognitive Health Apps:
•Apps that help seniors track their nutrition and manage dietary needs.
•Examples: MyFitnessPal, Seniors Meet, and Fooducate.
Diet and Nutrition Apps:
•Devices and apps that monitor sleep patterns and provide insights for improving sleep quality.
•Examples: Sleep Cycle, Fitbit Sleep Tracker, and Philips SmartSleep.
Sleep Trackers:
Health
Monitoring

12. Home monitoring
• IoT/Alexa/Google Home
• AI
• Motion Sensors/Camera and Audio
• Panic Button

13. www.smartpeep.ai

14. Social Connection and Engagement
Video Communication Tools: Zoom
Social Networking Sites: Facebook
Online Forums and Clubs: Whats App
Virtual Community Centres: Televeda
Gaming and Interactive Platforms: Wii Sports

15. Educational Platforms
Diverse Course
Offerings:
Coursera, edX, and Khan Academy
Skill Development: Duolingo for language learning or Udemy
for professional
Cognitive Exercise: Brain-training apps such as Lumosity and
Peak
Cultural Exploration: Google Arts & Culture provide virtual tours
of museums and galleries
Accessibility
Features:
text-to-speech, large text, and easy
navigation,

16. Generative AI

17. https://creator.nightcafe.studio/
https://creator.nightcafe.studio/

20. Brain-Training Games and Apps
•Tools like CogniFit and BrainHQ include memory games that can help
improve both short-term and long-term memory capabilities.
Enhanced Memory
Function:
•Puzzles and strategy games challenge and develop an individual's
ability to solve problems and think critically.
Improved Problem-
Solving Skills:
•Fast-paced games and activities that require quick decision-making
can help speed up cognitive processing and reaction times.
Faster Cognitive
Processing:
•Concentration games train users to maintain focus over longer
periods, which is beneficial in combating the natural decline in
attention span with age.
Increased Focus
and Attention:
•Regular use of cognitive training tools can lead to neuroplasticity,
where the brain adapts and reorganizes itself, potentially improving
cognitive functions and slowing cognitive decline.
Neuroplasticity
Stimulation:

21. Virtual Reality Experiences
Virtual Travel
and Tours:
• VR
applications
like Google
Earth
Cultural
Experiences:
• Museums and
historical
sites.
Therapeutic
Use:
• reminiscence
therapy,.
Physical
Rehabilitation:
• physical
therapy.
Cognitive
Exercises:
• games and
applications.

22. Physical Activity and Wellbeing
Activity Monitoring:
• Fitness trackers.
Health Insights:
• track vital health metrics
Motivation and Goal
Setting:
• achievable goals.
Guided Yoga Sessions:
• Yoga apps.
Meditation and
Mindfulness:
• Meditation apps

23. Nutrition and Diet Tracking

24. Implementation Strategies

25. Partnerships with
Healthcare Providers

26. Let's unite to equip ourselves with cutting-edge
technology, enabling us not just to enjoy our golden
years to the fullest but also to continue upskilling and
contributing to society in meaningful ways – Malaysia
Madani
https://tinyurl.com/OLDNEWTRICKS

27. Q&A Session
vaikunthan@gmail.com