Smart devices study could transform health care for over 65s

Smart devices study could transform health care for over 65s

There’s good news for older New Zealanders worried about having to move out of their homes into residential care because of declining health.

A new study funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) will investigate how different sources of information from a variety of digital devices could be integrated with information from sensors located in the home, or on a person (e.g., fitness devices), and distributed via social media networks to help monitor and manage the health of older people so that they can live in their homes for longer.

Dr Richard Whiddett from Massey University and his colleagues Dr Inga Hunter and Professor Hans Guesgen have received a HRC Explorer Grant worth $150,000 for this study, which challenges the conventional understanding of health care as a one-to-one relationship between the patient and the health provider.

“Current systems of transferring data from smart home sensors tend to rely on a one-to-one relationship, for example blood pressure readings from the older person to the clinic nurse,” says Dr Whiddett.

“Social media networks offer the option of a many-to-many relationship, for example between the older person, their family and friends, and health providers. It not only widens the support network for the older person, but also individualises the support system.”

Internet use is now common among older people, with 89 per cent of those aged 65 and over using email and more than 50 per cent browsing news sites. Likewise, the number of over 65s using social media networks such as Facebook is also increasing, especially among those living with chronic disease.

Dr Whiddett says this study could have significant health benefits for older people by supporting their independence and self-reliance, improving their quality of life, and avoiding the health risks associated with residential care (e.g., rest homes, hospitals, dementia units), such as increasing immobility.

HRC Chief Executive Professor Kath McPherson says the study is timely as the government is currently updating the Health of Older People Strategy, which will be available for consultation after the New Zealand Health Strategy has been completed1.

“Although residential care facilities are an important resource for our populations, and they are committed to providing high-quality care, many people want to live in their own homes or communities. This research may identify how this could be a safe and healthy choice for more people,” says Professor McPherson.

“With the number of New Zealanders aged over 65 estimated to grow by 84 per cent by 2026, helping older people to stay in their communities for longer will also contribute to ensuring optimal management of the rising costs of health care services.”

This year the HRC has awarded a record nine Explorer Grants worth a combined total of $1.35 million, five more than the previous highest number of grants in 2014 and 2015.

“Explorer Grants are unlike any of the other funding opportunities we have available. They fund research that might seem ‘out-there’, but which actually has a very good chance of making a transformative change to how we manage New Zealanders’ health. Yes, it might be high risk, but with that also comes the potential for high reward,” says Professor McPherson.

See below for the full list of 2016 HRC Explorer Grant recipients or to read lay summaries of the research projects, go to www.hrc.govt.nz/funding-opportunities/recipients and filter for ‘Researcher Initiated Proposals,’ ‘Explorer Grants’ and ‘2016’.

1 See www.health.govt.nz/our-work/life-stages/health-older-people/health-older-people-strategy-update

2016 HRC Explorer Grants

Dr Patrick Gladding, Waitemata District Health Board

A novel nanosensor array for heart failure diagnosis

24 months, $150,000

Dr Bronwyn Kivell, Victoria University of Wellington

Preclinical development of non-addictive pain medications

24 months, $150,000

Dr Phoebe Macrae, University of Canterbury

Can we rehabilitate a reflex? A treatment protocol for the cough reflex

24 months, $150,000

Mr Bruno Marques, Victoria University of Wellington

Designing diagnostic and rehabilitation landscapes for the disabled

24 months, $150,000

Ms Samantha Marsh, The University of Auckland

Using principles of the ‘slow movement’ to prevent obesity from birth

24 months, $150,000

Dr Jeong Park, Massey University

Chromatin nanofibre as a therapeutic cancer vaccine

24 months, $150,000

Dr Trevor Sherwin, The University of Auckland

One cell, two phenotypes: capturing pluripotency for tissue repair

24 months, $150,000

Dr Wilma Waterlander, The University of Auckland

Nutrition 2.0: Toward a food systems approach for public health nutrition

24 months, $150,000

Dr Richard Whiddett, Massey University

Intelligent digital environment for wellbeing and healthcare

24 months, $150,000

ends

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