John Mogan of Ohio, USA, lives with developmental disabilities and mental illness, and has needed around the clock care for many years. Since the creation of software company ‘Medforall’, this in-person care has been cut in half.
Medforall was created by computer scientist/engineer Ali Rahimi, after he realized the frustrations and limitations faced by those with disabilities. He believed that he could create technology that can improve the lives of individuals with disabilities in amazing new ways. Medforall uses sensors, voice-activation, video and other technologies to assist the individual in their home, and alleviate the load from their support system; family members, personal support workers and agencies that fund these services. The new technology will help individuals with disabilities gain independence, and reduce the responsibility of the direct-support workforce, which is suffering from lack of employees and high turnover rates.
Features of the technology
- Smartphone and Amazon Alexa hardware
- 3D printed hardware
- Sensors that notify workers when a patient gets out of bed
- Visual/voice prompts when medications are due
- Schedule appointments
- Dim lights, lock doors
- Play relaxing music
The device varies in price depending on the service, however, using remote monitoring versus in-person support for even a few hours per week, could save the individual and their family thousands each year. Rahimi says he’d like the savings to provide for a wage increase for support workers, who are significantly underpaid.
For individuals in need of this technology, it likely won’t eliminate the need for personal care, however, it may improve the level of independence they experience in their daily lives. Rahimi believes his company will change the home health-care model, and although technology can improve the lives of many, technology will never be able to replace love and compassion received from one-on-one care.
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