Telemedicine standard in homes of the future?

Telemedicine standard in homes of the future? Vallgossen is one of the world's first multifamily complexes to employ modern technology to enable both children and adults to continue living at home in spite of handicaps, illness or advanced age. Both the young and the old in need of security, safety and comfort are offered homes equipped with unique telemedicine systems in combination with IT-based home services. Telemedicine makes it possible to carry out medical examinations from home without requiring the physical presence of a physician. JM's vision for the future is that it should be just as easy to for residents to choose options like telemedicine as features like cable TV. A groundbreaking venture will make it easier for disabled persons to continue living at home. Experience shows that children in particular recover up to 30 per cent faster if they are cared for in the home instead of a hospital. [REMOVED GRAPHICS] Vallgossen, with its 126 apartments on the island of Kungsholmen in Stockholm, has three different levels of practical solutions and technical systems for residents of varying ages, preferences and needs. One innovation is that two of the apartments have been specially fitted with technology that enables persons with different types of disabilities to continue living at home. These apartments offer security and safety systems and unique telemedicine equipment for residents with special needs, creating potential for monitoring and simple examinations in the home. With the new telemedicine systems, the resident can communicate with his/her physician via audio-video communication instead of making a trip to the hospital. The instruments measure and transmit data such as EKG, blood pressure, body temperature, weight, blood sugar and blood oxygen to the hospital. Furthermore, Vallgossen offers a number of modern and innovative home services to enhance the residents' comfort and security, such as remote- controlled outer doors, blinds and lighting. Using the remote control, the apartment can also be put into "good night mode", where automatic safety lighting is activated and all ceiling lighting, gas to the stove and power to appliances such as coffee machines are shut off. The apartments are also equipped with features such as a door intercom with a video camera, security alarms, a "bed guard" under the mattress that vibrates in the event of an alarm and a photophone - a combined telephone and number display with photographs. Occupancy of the two specially equipped apartments is planned for spring 2002. The apartments will be used by Danderyd Hospital for two years as part of a collaborative project between JM and other stakeholders. Funding for the project will be provided via the Swedish Knowledge Foundation, the Swedish Foundation for Health Care Sciences and Allergy Research and JM. JM will evaluate the project in association with Danderyd Hospital and researchers at the University of Linköping. The entire project will also be the basis for a doctoral thesis via the Royal Institute of Technology. The objective is for JM's future housing to be easily upgraded to enable disabled persons to continue living at home with a high quality of life. For Vallgossen, the Handicap Council of the Stockholm City Planning Administration has also taken part in research activities at the initiative of politicians in the Stockholm City Council, and has provided feedback on the accessibility and design of the apartments. For additional information, please contact Johnny Kellner, Planning and Environmental Director, JM Bostad, Stocholm, JM AB telephone: +46 8 782 87 59, mobile +46 70 582 87 59 For pictures and background information for "Telemedicine standard in homes of the future?", please see www.newsonline.se/jm Stockholm, 31 january 2002 JM AB Group Staff Communications This and earlier press releases are also available at www.jm.se ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/08/19/20030819BIT00520/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/08/19/20030819BIT00520/wkr0002.pdf