eSeniorCare new app for seniors
Developers from the University of Notre Dame created eSeniorCare, an app that helps senior citizens.
The app provides a continuity of care allowing health workers to proactively reach out to at-risk seniors when they need help, while still allowing them to maintain their independence.
A physical health component of the app allows seniors to track a variety of health goals. They can set goals, such as eating less fast food or drinking less caffeine, and maintain a record of various activities in support of such goals and send the records to resident health administrators for guidance, reflection and personal motivation.
The app also features medication scheduling and management, medication history, medication reminders and medication adherence. Medication reminders have textual, audio and video components. Because the app is interactive, caretakers can see when medications aren’t being taken correctly or renewed on time and can quickly intervene to remedy the problem.
One of eSeniorCare’s most popular features with seniors is brain games designed to enhance cognitive health and avoid impairment of mental function. A variety of crossword and Sudoku puzzles and other games provide the opportunity for mental stimulation.
In collaboration with Beacon Health System, eSeniorCare was first rolled out at two senior independent living facilities in South Bend. In a pilot study following implementation of the app, the researchers tracked the medication management component for three months and the daily activities component for seven months. They found that seniors’ technology comfort and literacy increased, and one participant saw a decrease in depression risk. There was also an increase in interpersonal interactions among all participants.
In a second pilot study currently underway at additional independent living communities, the researchers are tracking the brain games, activity and health data and medication components of the app. Their initial results reveal high engagement with brain games; patients reporting a sense of purpose and increase in mental stimulation; and the use of the communication component to connect with care providers and maintain positive relationships.
The app is being pilot tested at senior independent living facilities in the South Bend area and is not yet available to the general public.
Category: Features, Technology & Devices
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