Home automation to promote independent living in elderly populations

A toolkit for independent living has been developed to monitor activity and automate daily tasks and routines for elderly persons living at home. Off-the-shelf components manufactured by x10, Inc., which operate via radio frequency and power line carrier technology, can be integrated into existing living environments to promote home security, home safety, and independent living. Accompanying software has been developed to passively monitor and trend activity patterns within the home in order to predict changes in health status and early onset of chronic illness. The independent living toolkit serves to promote health maintenance and active engagement within the aging population.