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The Return Of The Digital House

It isn't about Internet refrigerators; it's about facilitating the home health care of the aging population through digital technology.

James Albert, CIO of Masonicare, says we're only a couple of years away from pervasive digital technology enabling the aging, ailing baby-boom generation to live out their lives at home instead of in nursing homes or hospital rooms. Masonicare, a not-for-profit in Wallingford, Conn., is the state's leading provider of health care and retirement living communities for seniors, and Albert has been CIO since 1998. Albert shared his insights during a session here at the SIMposium conference in Memphis entitled, "Transforming Health Care Delivery and Aging Services."

The clock is ticking on the baby boom generation entering the post-65 era, the years when health care services become more and more important. And that demographic bulge will hit the health care industry hard, straining services to the breaking point.

That's why digital technology is being readied to help health care providers handle that increase in demand for services by shifting the emphasis from patient care to self care -- or at least independent living. Much of that technology is available now, but in a different context. Home Depot and Lowe's are "moving quickly" into marketing home health care equipment, Albert says. Also, car companies are making "smart cars" that help people drive, like not backing up or going forward if something is in the way. We've seen the commercials for cars that park themselves, but car makers are working on vehicles that drive themselves in limited, controlled situations, Albert says.

Look for digital technology specifically to aid ailing seniors to be able to live by themselves in their homes or apartments, rather than having to stay for extended -- and expensive -- periods of time in hospitals or retirement homes. Albert offered this list:

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