Key facts
- An 85-year-old Roman widow, Dina Gazzella, is using a smart bracelet to monitor her health.
Rome's municipality is using smart bracelets to monitor elderly residents, tracking vital signs and detecting falls. The initiative, part of a larger support scheme, aims to provide peace of mind and crucial assistance, especially during the current heatwave.
This initiative demonstrates how smart technology can be leveraged to provide essential support and monitoring for vulnerable elderly populations, offering a crucial safety net during extreme weather events and addressing issues of loneliness and health prevention.
Rome is employing smart technology, specifically electronic bracelets, to enhance the safety and well-being of its elderly population, particularly during the current heatwave. The initiative, part of a €400 million support scheme funded by the EU post-COVID, aims to provide remote monitoring of vital signs, sleep patterns, and fall detection for approximately 700 residents.
Dina Gazzella, an 85-year-old widow, is one of the beneficiaries, describing the bracelet as a "lifesaver" that offers peace of mind. The device, worn like a watch, includes motion sensors and continuously tracks the wearer's movements. Clinical psychologist Piera Pomente, who coordinates a support desk for the scheme, emphasized the bracelet's critical role in managing health issues exacerbated by high temperatures, such as dropping blood pressure and heart rate.
While the bracelet is provided free of charge, some individuals have expressed privacy concerns, leading to a reduction in participation at one local pharmacy. Pomente's team operates weekdays, monitoring data and processing applications, while notifications are sent to relatives via a mobile app during evenings and weekends. The service also includes daily calls from social workers to check on medication, heat coping, and general well-being, fostering a sense of connection for those experiencing loneliness.