Europe is facing a ticking time bomb: an aging population. According to the 2020 Eurostat report Ageing Europe — looking at the lives of older people in the EU, between 2019 and 2050, the number of very old people in the EU-27 is projected to more than double. An aging population presents us with a challenge: how can fiercely independent older people continue to live alone, even when they have limited mobility and illnesses? How do you keep elderly people active and healthy for longer? Part of the answer might be about wifi sensing — interpreting wifi signals to detect motion and presence.
Most older adults prefer living independently. According to recent statistics, approximately 4% of adults aged 65 and older live in institutional settings such as nursing homes, while the majority prefer to age in their own homes. However, accidents can and do happen.
Part of the answer might be about wifi sensing — interpreting wifi signals to detect motion and presence.
As Maura Zaccheroni from Deutsche Telekom tells us, Wi-Fi sensing enables continuous, non-invasive activity tracking, detecting changes in daily routines that may signal health issues. By monitoring movement patterns, healthcare providers can identify early signs of depression or worsening chronic illnesses, allowing for timely interventions. This proactive approach can lead to improved patient outcomes and enhanced quality of life.
Deutsche Telekom believes in human-centred technology, which is why we’re addressing exactly this issue in our newly launched WiFi Sensing Program. Today, we spoke to some of the startups enrolled on the program to get their take on how to ensure as many people can live independently as they want to in the future, thanks to this new technology.
What factors undermine older people’s ability to live safely at home?
Henrik Grünfeld (AIDY Health):
One of the most significant factors is the risk of falls and injuries. Statistics reveal that approximately one-third of seniors over the age of 65 experience falls each year (WHO). These falls often result in serious injuries such as hip fractures and head traumas, which can drastically reduce their ability to live independently.
Social isolation is another critical factor. Many older adults live alone and face significant psychological impacts from loneliness and depression. Environmental hazards in the home environment also pose significant risks. Many homes are not designed with the needs of older adults in mind. Features such as stairs, narrow doorways, and bathtubs without non-slip surfaces can be dangerous.
How does your product use Wi-Fi sensing to enable older people to live independently?
MySense AI
Tiami Networks
Veli
Telemon
AIDY Health
Uses wi-fi sensing to detect patterns and anomalies indicating an emergency. Comes with a Conversational AI Assistant which provides immediate voice support and reassurance.
La Casa Care
Monitors each individual’s Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and makes recommendations as to how to maintain autonomy and delay functional decline.
Are there future developments that might support care for older people that aren’t available now, but might be in the next few years?
Diogo Ribeiro (My Sense):
Absolutely. Wearables are set to get better: expect more advanced and comfortable versions which provide comprehensive health monitoring. In the robotics sector, we will see home assistance robots capable of helping with daily tasks and providing companionship. In terms of AR, there will be solutions to help with medication management, physical therapy and cognitive exercises. Realistically, we can expect to see interoperable health platforms which better integrate data from various sources to deliver a holistic view of someone’s health.
Jan-Peter Seevers (Veli):
The spread of AI, access to comprehensive, multidisciplinary, previously isolated medical knowledge, more and better data quality and digitalization will enable preventive healthcare. This promotes self-determined, personalized healthcare, especially for the older population, in order to enable them to enjoy the longest possible health span until old age.
Aside from Wi-Fi sensing, where is technology that supports independent living for the elderly headed in general?
Christopher Pearson (Tiami Networks):
Technology supporting independent living for the elderly is advancing rapidly. The integration of IoT devices enhances home safety, energy management, and convenience. Wearables and health trackers are increasingly used to monitor vital signs, activity levels, and medication adherence. Voice-controlled devices, like voice assistants, aid with reminders, emergency calls, and daily interactions. VR and AR tools are being developed for cognitive stimulation, rehabilitation, and social interaction. The adoption of new standards (like Matter - an open source connectivity standard for smart home devices) is promoting interoperability among smart devices, ensuring comprehensive and personalized care. Big data and analytics are playing crucial roles in identifying health trends, personalizing care, and improving outcomes. Enhanced AI and machine learning algorithms are enabling predictive analytics and early detection of health issues based on movement patterns, contributing to safer, more effective independent living solutions for older adults.
Oksana Savelyeva (Telemon):
An interesting area of care for the elderly is the early diagnosis of dementia. By analyzing patient voice data, it is possible to identify initial symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases. Analysis of advanced audio objects combined with artificial intelligence technologies can detect subtle nuances in the voice that may indicate the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. This technology enables earlier and more precise diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression.
An aging population reflects how medical advances have meant people are living longer than ever before. But this also poses a challenge: how do we cater to the varied needs of older people (in terms of age, health, working status and more) so those who wish to live independently at home can do so for as long as possible? hubraum is delighted to be running a program that could give the answers to this question.
To learn more about the Wi-Fi Sensing program please visit:
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