By Paul Marshall, CCO and Co-Founder of Eseye
This article originally appeared in the October 24 magazine issue of IoT Insider.
Technology is rapidly evolving and the way we care for aging and vulnerable individuals, as well as those living with chronic medical conditions and disabilities, is undergoing a significant transformation. At the heart of this change is telecare, a system that leverages the power of the IoT to empower these individuals, improving their quality of life. By integrating connected devices and sensors into homes, telecare enables remote monitoring of safety, health, and overall condition, thus reducing costs and easing the burden on healthcare and social care resources.
IoT-driven revolution in healthcare
The role of IoT in healthcare is becoming pivotal, and its market value is a testament to this trend. The IoT in Healthcare (IoHT) market is projected to surge from $128 billion in 2023 to $289 billion by 2028. This exponential growth signifies not just a technological advancement but a profound shift in our approach to healthcare and social care. In the adult social care sector, IoT-enabled telecare systems are empowering individuals to live independently and safely in their own homes for extended periods.
Telecare systems use sensors to monitor various factors within the home, transmitting the collected data to a Cloud-based operator. This data is then analysed in real-time, allowing for life-improving recommendations and interventions. This proactive approach enables carers to monitor individuals’ well-being, intervening when necessary, while eliminating the need for costly and intrusive non-essential visits. Consequently, telecare services allow users to live richer, fuller lives, providing reassurance to their families and delivering valuable insights to local authorities and care providers.
Passive and active monitoring
Telecare operates on two primary models: passive and active monitoring. Passive monitoring involves devices that track an individual’s behaviour and trigger actions if there are any concerning changes. For instance, a fall detector can immediately alert a care worker, while more subtle indicators, such as door sensors or smart plugs, monitor daily activities like boiling a kettle or turning on the TV.
On the other hand, active monitoring requires proactive involvement from either the individual or a carer. Devices such as cameras or speakers allow carers to check in regularly, while panic buttons or hubs enable users to call for assistance when needed. IoT-enabled GPS pendants can be carried outside the home, providing a direct line to help if something occurs. Both models involve collecting susceptible personal data, necessitating accurate data capture and reliable connectivity to avoid missing critical information, such as distress signals.
Overcoming challenges in telecare implementation
Despite the promising potential of telecare, several challenges have to be addressed first to ensure its effective deployment and operation in the community:
Challenge 1: device design
A survey conducted by Kaleido Intelligence and supported by Eseye highlighted hardware design as a significant barrier to IoT deployment. Privacy and security are paramount considerations, requiring devices to offer high control over data collection, transportation, and storage. At the same time, these devices must remain user-friendly, encouraging adoption even among those with minimal technological understanding.
Telecare devices must often be lightweight, discreet, and robust, presenting unique design constraints. Additionally, incorporating connectivity – whether through individual cellular modems or central hubs using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, or proprietary standards – affects the overall device design, hardware, circuitry, and power source.
Challenge 2: ensuring reliable connectivity
Reliable connectivity is crucial for telecare devices, ensuring continuous and secure data transmission. According to Eseye’s State of IoT Adoption Survey, cellular connectivity is a top challenge for 31% of healthcare and medical device respondents, with 75% agreeing that developing and debugging connected products held them back significantly getting products to market.
Also, in the survey by Kaleido Intelligence, more than eight out of 10 respondents (84%) cited hardware design as their top challenge for initial IoT deployments, with 23% saying that reliable device connectivity across countries, regions and locations was a considerable challenge. In conclusion, devices must function straight out of the box, automatically connecting to the best available network without complex setups. This is vital for operating in diverse environments, from urban centres to remote areas where Wi-Fi is unavailable.
Furthermore, increasing governments restricting permanent IoT device roaming complicates deployment. Each device must seamlessly switch networks if connectivity is lost or unreliable, necessitating rigorous pre deployment testing to simulate challenging network conditions.
Challenge 3: implementing adequate security
Security is critical for telecare devices handling sensitive personal data. Ensuring end-to-end security involves:
- Encrypting data at the device level
- Using trusted private networks and secure gateways for data transmission
- Implementing tools to detect unusual activity
Many consumer SIMs lack advanced security measures, increasing the risk of data breaches. Therefore, telecare devices should employ dedicated solutions designed for secure applications.
Challenge 4: transitioning from analogue to digital
The impending analogue network switch-off in 2025 necessitates a rapid transition to digital telecare systems. Traditional social alarm equipment, reliant on analogue telecoms infrastructure, poses significant risks due to high failure rates and slow response times. Digital systems governed by standards such as the EU’s TS50134-9 offer a safer, more reliable alternative.
The transition to digital telecare is essential to ensure the safety and wellbeing of approximately 10 million older and vulnerable individuals in the UK and Europe. Yet the importance of getting the transition right is critical. Without a clear understanding, there are potential life and death consequences to the end user where it can interrupt vital care.
The future of telecare
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of supporting vulnerable populations in their homes. IoT innovations in telecare not only enhance patient care delivery but also significantly reduce costs and increase efficiency, driving revenue growth for healthcare organisations. By addressing the unique challenges of telecare IoT deployments – such as ensuring reliable connectivity and robust security – providers can deliver efficient, effective, and profitable services.
As the telecare market expands, ensuring out-of-the-box connectivity and prioritising user-friendly device design will be crucial to industry growth and user satisfaction. The transformative potential of IoT in telecare represents a significant opportunity for both technological innovation and social good, paving the way for a future where vulnerable individuals receive the support they need to live independently and safely.
Integrating IoT in telecare is not just about leveraging technology; it’s about fundamentally changing the way we care for some of our society’s most vulnerable members. By embracing these innovations, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live a safer, healthier, and more connected life.
