Darla, back when I was involved with a local installer of home automation systems (which have all these capabilities discussed), I was doing the programming for their clients. This was one of my suggested uses for the system, and I thought they could demo it as an elderly or chronically ill persons backup help. It also had the ability to make an outgoing call to any of four numbers in sequence until someone answered. One of the ideas I had to show the installer how it could be used was I programmed it to get Allison up at her regular time for work each weekday morning. it would turn on soft music and gradually brighten the lights over 5 minutes going from off to a comfortable level to simulate a sunrise. However, I also put a motion detector just outside the bedroom door, and if it wasn't tripped within 10 minutes of the wake up alarm program, then it started giving loud verbal reminders that it was time to get up, and she was running late, and so on. (I was in the shower this whole time). Let's just say this wasn't the most popular use I ever put a home automation system to, and I didn't have any help when it came time to sell the idea to the installer! (the verbal prompts were soon removed from my wake-up program). Chip ________________________________ From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Darla J. Rogers Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2011 12:07 AM To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [tabi] A sampling of elder care aids for the wireless age A sampling of elder care aids for the wireless age The Associated Press Wireless technology is giving adult children new options for monitoring elderly parents who want to stay in their own homes. - Grandcare, of West Bend, Wis., sells a home monitoring system that costs $2,000 to buy or $99 per month to lease, plus a $79 monthly service fee. Fees vary depending on the number of sensors and features requested. Sensors placed around the home track daily movements, including when doors are opened, and send the information to a secure website. Seniors can also attach medical devices like a blood pressure cuff to the Grandcare terminal and record their readings. The system can also be used to remotely control the lights and thermostat. - BeClose of Vienna, Va., offers a system of motion sensors for $299, plus a $79 monthly service fee. A $399 package has additional features, including a bed sensor placed underneath the mattress, which indicates when the bed is occupied. The system can be programmed to send alerts in various instances, such as if the person doesn't get out of bed. - The Maya system from MedMinder in Newton, Mass., is a wireless-enabled pillbox that stores all of a patient's medications for the week on a large tray. When it's time to take the medication, the appropriate compartment lights up and beeps. If the pills are not taken within an hour, the company's automated system calls the patient. If there is no answer, the company calls the patient's loved one. The patient's caregiver programs the medication schedule using a company website. The device is available at BestBuy for $179 or through the company's website. The monthly service fee is $29.95 . ? 2011 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com . Darla & Precious Roxy Cell #: 850-443-3571 djrogers0628@xxxxxxxxx Check out the TABI resource web page at http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABI and please make suggestions for new material. if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.org web interface, or by sending an email to the address tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject.