Smart Health Monitoring Using Smart Systems

This chapter discusses the concept of using smart grid technologies for applications beyond their intended use. It mainly focuses on one key and important element of the smart grid, the advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). The AMI provides bidirectional communication between the consumer and the rest of the smart grid. Smart meters are seen as one of the most important components of the AMI and smart grid. The chapter investigates the use of smart meters for the behavioral analysis of individual patients with healthcare conditions. Utilizing smart meter data provides the ability to detect changes in: sleep patterns; eating; activity; social interaction; routines; and behavioral changes. Detecting changes in behavior, routine, and immobility is possible by monitoring a patient's electricity usage. This, in turn, enables earlier intervention, where needed, and the possibility for independent living. Finally, the chapter highlights how the data can be utilized to achieve different monitoring applications.