aging in place | boomers | home technology | accessibility | sandwich generation | robot helpers | universal design | digital healthcare | telecare | lifestyle | mobile tech | personal emergency response systems | home mods

Quote of the Month
"Never think  you've seen the last of everything."
Eudora Welty

There are toilets and then there are toilets. And then, there are TOILETS. After that there are Numis. This is something you think to yourself "exactly why do I need an MP3 player connection, FM radio and foot warmer with my toilet?" And the answer is you don't. But....

The new foot-warming, MP3 playing, hi-tech bidet toilet from Kohler.

But, what if you did have that and more? Like automatic seat opener (seat's heated of course), integrated bidet and air dryer, LED lighting (yes, lighting!), touch screen remote control and dual-flush technology. Although we may not understand "why" all these features are needed, we're pretty certain once you've tried it you'll probably wonder how you ever lived without them! 

The Kohler Numi retails for about $6000.

Click here (or on the image) to watch a video of the Numi in action.

A couple of weeks ago my wife and I went to visit my 96 years of fabulous-living mom. Of course we talked about age in place related stuff (she lives alone in her own home) and some things that we could do while we were there to make it safer for her.

One day we were sitting in the kitchen, yacking it up, when her personal emergency response system (PERS) went off and did a required system check among other things. Scared the living heck out us! If you have ever heard one go off you know what I mean. It's like an air raid drill alert.

When we calmed down that triggered a discussion about PERs. We recommended that she switch to one of the new generation of PERS a GPS/Cellular System that would allow her to be protected away from the house.

She chose the Mobile Help System that works anywhere a cell phone on the AT+T network works. That means in the car, (yes, she drives...too fast. But that's another story.) in the store, (she does her own shopping) church, theater - you get the idea.

The super neat thing is it operates just like her old system when she's at home. When she leaves the house she just takes the Voice Help button with her and she's covered. No matter where she is the GPS satellite technology can pinpoint her location so the emergency response center can send help should she need it.

Check out this site http://www.mobilehelpsys.com/. Disclaimer: we do not sell or endorse this product at this time.

Meres 'Mack' McCarroll

As most of our readers know AIPatHome.com is fascinated with the development of robots that could one day help people age in place. This one is fun and has potential!

U.C. Berkeley researchers programmed a PR2, an advanced robot developed by Willow Garage, to fold towels.

Click here or on the image to watch the robot folding towels.

Some of the responses we've had regarding finding a replacement for the term "aging in place":

I agree, although I don't have a solution, I think we should include a reference to 'Lifestyles'.

Steve Onge R.I.  Kitchen & Baths

Something more like .... Comprehensive Design.

Loucindy Weitzman, Pelton's Home Health Care Center

Life time living, or life-span homes, or universal living, or universal home.

Diana Sullivan, Independence First

Do you have a better way to describe people who want to live in their own home for as long as possible? Drop us an email or click here if you like to fill out forms (you'll need to scroll down the page a bit for the form).

Your rants, raves, suggestions and stories are always welcome...especially the raves!Seriously, tell us what we can do to help you age-in-place, in your home, your way.  Share your story and send your comments to talktous@aipathome.com.

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