Re: Geezer Tracker

["Robert Green" <ROBERT_GREEN1963@xxxxxxxxx>]

"Dave Houston" <nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:42d84ba8.51366613@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> "Robert Green" <ROBERT_GREEN1963@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> >He's succumbing to severe arthritis and is just generally slowing down in
> >other ways, too.  I'd like to set up a sort of "adult monitor" system
that
> >can always tell me where he is and gives me the ability to communicate
with
> >him.  I know it sounds like On-Star for the disabled, but I recall
reading a
> >few threads here in which some gentlemen had done the same for his
> >teenager's car, with GPS and speed transponders, among other things.  So
I
> >know it's doable.  I just don't know whether *I* can do it.
>
> Google on "Alzheimer Tracking". A cell phone that can be located is
probably
> the best thing for this situation.

Yes, I've read about those phones.  There is a local sheriff's program
that's had some remarkable successes with recovering lost "wanderers" with
those special phones.  The problem with that system is I think you have to
issue a "lost geezer" alert, and that's not something I want to do.  I'd
like to have a plug in cradle on the chair so he can plug in a cellphone and
operate it from a larger-buttoned control panel and speed dial up to ten
numbers without much effort.  Most new cellphones are designed for people
with very small fingers, very good vision and exceptional hand-eye
coordination.  That's definitely NOT my dad!

> >Part of the problems if that I can't really use anything COTS vis-a-vis
> >keyboards or readouts.  He has trouble reading LCD's and fingering small
> >buttons, which has sent me on a search for large button phones, remotes
and
> >DVD players.  I have a cheap but very rugged OFA remote with huge,
form-cut
> >buttons that he can manage with for now.  The problem is that I can see a
> >time when even that level of manipulation will be difficult for him.  I'm
> >not sure where to go from there.  I know about devices like Sip-N-Puff
and
> >other head motion controllers, but there's got to be something for people
> >who are not completely paralyzed.
>
> Assisted Living suppliers have very large buttons. Of course, the larger
the
> buttons, the fewer functions in any given space. There are proximity
sensors
> and field sensors that can create keypads on doors, glass, almost
anything.
> Some have been discussed here. Circuit Cellar magazine has also had some
> articles on them.

Part of the problem is that as soon as something's considered a medical
device, its cost at least triples.  I bought him a very nice child's CD
player for Christmas that he can handle quite easily because it has enormous
color-coded controls.  My idea was to give him the ability to scroll through
a large font on-screen list of choices using the right hand to advance and
the left hand to select.  He can still mash things down with his fist pretty
well.  :-)  I suspect it will be fairly easy to wire in large "mash" buttons
to an existing mouse and use one of the very small PC's to drive it all.
I'll have to give it all some thought because the problem he has now is over
and underclicking.  He clicks either too early or too late and gets
frustrated because he has to then back out of wherever he went accidentally.

> >Well, any pointers or discussion would be welcome.
>
> There are also brain implants that allow control of a mouse cursor but it
> doesn't seem like he need go that far.

Most of those types of controls are for people quite a bit further along in
decrepitude.  I want to deliver technological advantage without it being as
much of a curse as it is a blessing.

> If he always leaves by the same egress, some type of proximity switch
could
> trigger the audio reminders. You could even use RFID in such a way that
only
> the wheelchair passing would trigger it.

Well, at least we have that part of it covered.  There's only one way out of
the house on a scooter without going up or down a flight of stairs.  I've
worked out a manual check list of things he needs before leaving the house
for when Mom's not there to do it for him, but so far, there's been no real
substitute for her hovering over him making sure he's got his cellphone, his
water, his meds and his pants on.  :-)

--
Bobby G.