How the 'smart age' could revolutionize old age

A senior uses a machine to monitor bone density at a community activity center in Lujiazui sub-district in Shanghai. Provided to China Daily

New measures

Statistics from the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau show that more than 80 percent of residents who have turned 60 since 2013 are parents of the "single-child generation", and the numbers of senior residents who live alone and couples who lack regular family contact continue to rise. The phenomenon has hastened the emergence of diversified products to help monitor and entertain elderly people.

Smart wearable devices that embrace the new generation of technologies, such as mobile Internet, satellite navigation and positioning, are becoming more commonplace. For example, a watch developed by the Jiangsu Beidou Satellite Application Industry Institute can track the wearer's position and alert the family automatically if he or she gets into difficulty.

"If the wearer gets lost or is caught in an emergency situation, he or she can press the SOS button for three seconds and the watch will contact their relatives automatically. Children of users can download an application to their smartphones and check their parents' location at any time," said Chen Fuzhou, director of the institute.

Some nursing homes have also started to employ advanced technology. Cypress Garden in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, the first senior care provider in China to be fully financed by foreign capital, was established specifically for seniors with dementia.

The ceilings are fitted with dolly tracks that allow staff to transport patients who are unable to move by themselves, and the facility also offers mental simulation in a safe environment.

"We have constructed a 'wandering garden' for them to satisfy their mental needs," said Mark Spitalnik, CEO of Cypress Garden. "In the garden, seniors can walk wherever they want without the risk of encountering danger because it is equipped with a high-tech security system that sends out an alert when an unusual situation occurs."

Many elderly residents, such as Wang Yuming, a 72-year-old Shanghai resident who lives with his family, welcomed dedicated care products for seniors because of the freedom they can bring.

"High system that sends out an alert when an unusual situation occurs."

Many elderly residents, such as Wang Yuming, a 72-year-old Shanghai resident who lives with his family, welcomed dedicated care products for seniors because of the freedom they can bring.

"High-tech gadgets have made modern life easier and faster. We seniors should keep up with the times and make good use of these devices to take better care of ourselves and alleviate the burden on our children. The only concern may be the price," he said.

Yan Yiqi in Hangzhou contributed to the story.

Contact the writer at zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.cn