Impact of wireless communications technologies on elder people healthcare: Smart home in Australia

Over the last three decades, there has been a dramatic rise in ageing populations in most countries. Older people are remaining in nursing home care due to the fact that general services and medical support are provided. However, these costly environments often negatively affect older people due to high cost, limited staff and the social impacts they have. A way to overcome these challenges is to place the elderly instead in a smart home environment. The aim of this study is to describe the impact of wireless communications technologies on elderly people in a smart home. This has been compared with conditions in nursing homes. Using smart wireless sensors, wireless communications and ambient intelligent system, it is possible to create systems capable of measuring vital signs of the person in their own home. The findings indicate that wireless technology is the most suitable basis for a communications framework in a smart home to assist older people.