New and innovative IoT (Internet of Things) products are connecting you to your loved ones in many new ways. MedCottages or “Granny Pods," as they are oftentimes affectionately referred to, are self contained housing units that you can drop into your backyard - adding a second home for your aging loved one. Being close and accessible to the caregiver and providing state of the art in in-home aging amenities, Granny Pods are an up and coming product of the Internet of Things world.
The American Association of Retired People (AARP) estimates there are over 23 million Americans that take care of their elderly parents. However, finding the perfect place for them to live in a comfortable, familiar and safe place is difficult and [often] expensive. On many occasions, children do not want to leave their parents in an assisted home facility on their own, or sometimes it is not in their financial abilities to do so either. In addition, the aging person most often wants to maintain a certain level of independence. They want to continue their lives in a home where they control their lives.
IoT and the tech industry have come up with new products that will make aging [and life] easier for all families. MEDCottages or “Granny Pods” are tiny homes loaded with safety features and technology. They are designed by a Blacksburg, VA company with help from Virginia Tech. Variations of this original design are popping up from other housing manufacturers. In each case, the mini-homes are designed for the very specific purpose of providing a fast, convenient and safe solution to aging in place.
The basis of the Granny Pods are small modular guest houses designed to be installed in a backyard, with all the latest high-tech medical extras. Embedded IoT devices add to the ease of caregiving and make it accessible for those that want their elders close and taken care of with dignity. The small dwelling is hooked up to the main home’s existing sewer, water and power lines. Some of the standard features include hand railings, defibrillators, first aid supplies, lighted floorboards and a soft floor to minimize damage from falls. From an IoT perspective devices range from voice assisted lighting, locks and appliances control to bi-directional hands free communications with caregivers anywhere in the home. Motion detectors can monitor for falls and send alerts accordingly.
IoT has made its way into the Medical and Health industry and, like always, it is looking for ways to make our lives easier and safer. Granny Pods are allowing elderly family members to live in high-tech backyard cottages for aging in place, assisted living, and caregiving right in their loved one’s backyard.
Do you have an IoT project you need help with? Bluefin Technology Partners helps companies build amazing connected solutions. We understand the complexity and collaboration required between organizational disciplines in order to deliver an IoT product to market on time and on budget. We provide the services needed to assess your market, manage your partners, and shepherd your project through successful launch.
