AAHSA's 'Idea House' Brings Future of Aging Vision to Life

Groundbreaking technologies and design innovations empower older people and
allow them to live independently longer at home

CHICAGO, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A 2,600 foot model home unveiled
today transforms the idea of aging in place by using groundbreaking
technologies and design innovations that make it possible for more older
adults to remain independent and at home for longer. This one-of-a-kind home
is on display at McCormick Place in Chicago as part of the American
Association of Homes and Services for the Aging's (AAHSA) Annual Meeting &
Exposition from November 9-11.

The AAHSA Idea House features the best in universal design and technologies
that can improve older people's quality of life while reducing health care
costs, encouraging healthy behavior change, improving safety and providing
caregivers with support. Most important, these features can result in better
health outcomes and provide peace of mind for older adults and their loved
ones.

"From sensor systems to high-tech medication dispensers to height-adjustable
cabinets that lower so that people in wheelchairs can access them, technology
and design have converged to make aging easier - and safer - in today's modern
world," AAHSA CEO Larry Minnix said. "We are pleased to be able to bring to
life a vision that can be within reach of every elder in America."

More than 90 percent of the products on display at the AAHSA Idea House are on
the market today. Product highlights include:

-- A medication dispenser that automatically organizes, reminds,
dispenses
and monitors an individual's medication use. The technology enables
pharmacies to be notified when refills are needed.
-- Electronic distribution of medical records to doctors, family members
and caregivers on an ongoing basis. The distribution enables timely
responses to the data, thereby improving an individual's health
outcomes
and reducing health care costs over time.
-- Automatic personal emergency response systems, including fall
detection
that monitor a person's events and notify emergency medical services
and
caregivers immediately when needed.
-- A security system that replaces the traditional peephole with an LCD
screen to make it easier for people in wheelchairs or other needs to
see
who's at their door.
-- Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL), a wearable robotic suit that is designed
to
multiply a person's strength by reading bio-electric signals a person
generates. The suit uses those signals to guide the movement of
robotic
limbs strapped to a person's arms and legs. With HAL's help, many
stroke
patients may be able to walk and nurses have extra strength to move
individuals who need assistance.
-- Height-adjustable kitchen and bath appliances designed to meet
different
users' needs.

-- A Passive Sleep Monitoring System that monitors a person's sleep
quality, breathing and heart rate as he/she lays on the mattress and
enables caregivers to detect sleep-related markers of disease, like
urinary tract infections and depression, earlier.

"It's important that consumers and providers of aging services know what kind
of products are out there, which is why we built this home. Whether you're
looking to adapt an existing home, evaluating retirement communities or
updating assisted living facilities with the latest technology, the Idea House
will show you the kinds of things that will make life easier for seniors today
and in the future," said Eric Krull, an associate at THW Design and the lead
architect on the project.

"Numerous studies prove that seniors want to use technology, and are willing
to pay for it, if it will help them remain in their homes as long as they
can," said Majd Alwan, PhD, director of the Center for Aging Services
Technologies. "The AAHSA Idea House gives the general public and
aging-services providers a chance to see the range of technology that is
available and talk with the companies that are leading the way to meet the
needs of this growing market segment."

The Idea House is free and open to the public from Nov. 9-11 at McCormick
Place (2301 S Lakeshore Drive) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (For more information,
please visit www.aahsaconference.org.)

About AAHSA
The members of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
(www.aahsa.org) help millions of individuals and their families every day
through mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations dedicated to providing
the services that people need, when they need them, in the place they call
home. Our 5,700 member organizations, many of which have served their
communities for generations, offer the continuum of aging services: adult day
services, home health, community services, senior housing, assisted living
residences, continuing care retirement communities and nursing homes. AAHSA's
commitment is to create the future of aging services through quality people
can trust.

SOURCE American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging

Lauren Shaham of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging,
+1-202-508-1219, lshaham@aahsa.org