» sound advice 'Someone' To Watch Over Aging Parents Neal Check Special to the Jewish News W hen George and Ira Gershwin wrote "Someone To Watch Over Me" in 1926, there were no advanced technology options available to assist families in "watching over" their elderly loved ones at home. Today one-third of American house- holds are home to one or more residents 60 years of age or older. Americans are enjoying longer, healthier lives well into their golden years, and most prefer to live independently at home for as long as they can — what AARP refers to as "aging in place." So how can family members gain peace of mind without hiring "in-home" assis- tance for their parents or grandparents? Perhaps technology can keep you "close by." The CloseBy Network (www. closebynetwork.com ) is a subsidiary of Card Access Inc., a leading developer of wireless communications products for the medical, military and home consumer markets. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. Jim Stout, chief technology officer of Card Access, couldn't find a solution to help him stay connected to his aging parents who lived in another state, so his company developed a series of wireless sensors, Internet controllers and software to help self-monitor and assist in his parents' needs. The result was a very flexible, easy-to-install system that was less about spying and more about monitoring and reporting the activities of loved ones. Today, CloseBy Network uses a combi- nation of sensors and software tied to a Web application. Families choose what to monitor, how to receive the information and who should be notified. Depending on sensor location, you can be notified when your loved one leaves and returns, gets out of bed, opens the refrigerator or medicine cabinet, and if he or she is mov- ing normally about the house. You also can receive an alert if there is no activity within a specified time, or if your loved one pushes the "contact me" button for help. The system also can alert you to any dangers, such as the stove being left on. Information gathered by the sensors is then transferred to CloseBy Network's secure Web server. Here the data is stored and analyzed. Alerts are generated, based on informa- tion that has been requested by the family members (Care Network), and sent via email or a text message. Family members also can monitor real-time information or view reports over the Internet. Only members of your Care Network have access to this informa- tion, and you have full control over who sees the information and what they see. That connection is through a secure SSL browser connection — the same kind you would use for online banking transac- tions. The average costs for assisted living has soared to almost $40K per year. This tech- nology is not a replacement for full-time, in-home health care if that's what your loved one requires, but it can be a very effective way to keep aging parents in their homes and yet connected — "Someone to Watch Over me ❑ Neal Check is the owner of SoundCheck LLC in Southfield, which specializes in custom home theater, audio, lighting and automation. More info at www.soundcheckllc.com . The Perfect Home Deserves The Perfect Floor 1111111 Visit our Showroom for the Latest Styles and Designs in Carpet • Hardwood • Laminate • Area Rugs • • • • • •• SHOP • • SMART • TELESCO e Abbey Carpet & Floor 2705 Orchard Lake Road • Sylvan Lake 248-682-5600 • TelescoFloors.com 1759080 2012 33