One of the underrated aspects of smart cities is how they can assist the growing elderly population. WHO has revealed that by 2050, there are going to be around 2 billion people aged 60 and above. The use of IoT, AI, and ML in smart cities can improve accessibility to a wide range of daily services for the elderly and prevent them from becoming dependent on others. Smart healthcare devices have eliminated the need for human interference. Take, for instance, medical dispenser devices which contain drug doses. By configuring the pill dosage and timings, they help the user to take medication at the right time with regular reminders and alerts. In this way, they get exactly the amount of dosage that they are required to take.
Smart cities can “care” for the elderly. They can make sure that all their physical needs are met promptly. For instance, there is an app that uses AI to communicate with older people on a tablet. The app ensures that even those who struggle with degenerative mental disorders can be helped. It uses an AI-powered data that will help them to take care of themselves, such as by reminding them to take tablets on time.
Similarly, smart cities can use IoT and ML in tandem to create apps for guiding people with weak sight. Such an app can help them in navigation by providing real-time information about the environment, street intersections, and shops. They can get insights on the shortest routes to their destination. In this way, they can live a life with greater independence.
In some places, governments have already used IoT sensors in their traffic lights to track the pavement and identify if an aged, disabled person – someone with the relevant app installed – passes by. On identifying them, the smart traffic system automatically increases the amount of time for pedestrian crossing. Thus, they can take their time to cross the roads.
On a similar note, smart cities can incorporate the latest technologies in their healthcare services, so older people don’t have to come out of their homes and visit hospitals for minor assistance. They can consult with their doctors and get a prescription – one that is delivered to their doorstep. Smart cities can create elderly programs in which they are required to wear fitness trackers for tracking their heart rate, diet, sleep, and other relevant factors. This can make them a lot fitter and mobile than they are used to. In case they suffer from any serious disease, their symptoms can be sent to their healthcare correspondents and families.
Final Thoughts
To ensure that smart cities are correctly constructed for the elderly, it is necessary to include them in the planning phase. Young people cannot understand the issues faced by the elderly such as climbing up the stairs or walking on an uneven sidewalk. When they can have their say in the smart city development, it can help to build the right services – ones that use IoT, AI, and ML to ease up their lives.
If you manage a municipality, town, city, or hold a role that has ambitions to create a better world for the elderly with smart cities, contact Tantiv4. Our AI-powered IoT solutions have been used in several industries with great success. We can customize our solutions to design an effective infrastructure for you.
Source: How Smart Cities Can Make Seniors Independent?
