So, I am going to be 60 years old soon. In my lifetime so far, I have been witness to extraordinary changes in technology.
As a child, I distinctly remember grocery store cashiers ringing up purchases on cash registers that looked like old fashioned typewriters with drawers that rang out once the total button was pushed.
While in University I wrote all my University papers on a small brown Smith Corona electric typewriter, using the 2 index finger method having been “excused” from the Mavis Beacon after school lesson for giggling…but I managed. And when I started working at my first advertising agency as an account coordinator, there was 1 word processor for the whole account team of 12 people.
My kids gasp when I tell them about card catalogues and fighting for reference books at the library. It’s hard for them to understand that for most of human history, sourcing information, rather than studying, was the hardest part of learning.
Now, there is too much information, and the most important skill is sifting. We need to confirm what is true and what is not. We have to decipher who to trust…and who to ignore. While not physically challenging it is more intellectually and especially emotionally, challenging.
If managing tech is hard for me and my 20-year old kids, we know it is even more challenging for the 75+ crowd. For them, the idea of reading something positioned as “news” turning out to be a blatant lie is unthinkable – but that is the world in which we live.
It is tempting to want to protect our aging loved ones from emerging technology however it is important to acknowledge the amazing uses of AI, and other tech being created to assist people as they age.
One of these technologies is the : Smart Care Insoles by WeTraq. We have invited Ishaan Singla, Founder & CEO to show us how Tech can help.
Innovating for Dignity in Dementia Care (written by Ishaan Singla)
The distress of a loved one with dementia going missing is an all-too-common scenario, fraught with emotional turmoil and the challenging realities of search and rescue, which often don’t end well. Traditional GPS solutions, focused more on technology than the human aspect, can stigmatize users, making them reluctant to adopt such aids due to the perceived loss of freedom and privacy.
At WeTraq, our journey began with a technological focus but evolved as we engaged with caregivers and senior care organizations. We realized true innovation means solving real problems effectively and compassionately. This insight led to the development of our Smart Care Insoles, which offer a discreet, dignified way for older adults to retain their independence without the stigma associated with traditional tracking devices.
Integrating Seamlessly into Daily Life
To ensure ease of use, we designed the Smart Care Insoles with a unique wireless charging mat—simply place the shoes on the mat, and they charge. We also incorporated energy-harvesting capabilities that use ambient WiFi, extending battery life, crucial during emergencies.
Proactive Health Monitoring
As we commercialize the product and begin collecting meaningful data, we will enhance our offerings to include this crucial feature. This future capability will leverage the mobility pattern data gathered by the insoles to aid in fall prevention, allowing us and caregivers to address potential issues before they occur. This is part of our commitment to continually improve and adapt our solutions to meet the real-world needs of seniors and their families.
Join Us on This Path
We are nearing commercial availability and are eager to partner with organizations and individuals who share our vision. Visit WeTraq for more information and to join us on this transformative journey. We are actively looking for collaborators who are passionate about making a difference in senior care.
Join us in transforming the landscape of elderly support—where technology serves dignity and independence.
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You see, many of us will survive heart disease, cancer and the other afflictions that were previously deadly. But the one area where there is virtually no defining treatment is in the area of neurological decline, with diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Lewy Body, etc. so, for those afflictions – we have to turn to treating the symptoms and those include memory loss and cognitive decline. Technology such as WeTraq can help extend freedom and provide peace of mind.
