3rd Annual Conference

The SIG hosted a very successful 3rd annual conference in October 2002.

Chaired by Professor Chris Bulpitt the meeting included among the presentations, a fascinating insight into the American perspective on Assistive Technology from Professor Emily Agree of Harvard University. The threat of litigation explains the widespread use of electronic aids and devices within their Health Care system. If an inpatient falls or sustains an accident where a bed or chair monitor was not in use, the home is open to a compensation claim. Food for thought!

Electronic Tagging.
The SIG is currently involved in some controversial but potentially very rewarding research into electronic tagging in older people with dementia and wandering (featured as an editorial in the BMJ (2002);325:847). Electronic tagging uses similar equipment to prisoner tagging systems and avoids the need for physical or chemical restraints with minimal side effects, but it has substantial ethical implications. Preliminary results should be ready for the BGS Autumn Conference in London later this year.

The SIG will be presenting at a parallel session of the BGS at the Annual Autumn meeting in London 2003. The provisional agenda includes:
a) Smart Homes and older people in the community;
b) Electronic Tagging for people with dementia and wandering;
c) Machine Vision for the detection and prevention of falls
d) A colleague from Hong Kong will present findings from his research on Telemedicine in Nursing Homes.

Machine Vision is the hot topic in the SIG at the moment. Do come along!

Frank Miskelly
Chairman
New Technology in Older People SIG