The Silver Lining
Electronic systems contractors, you are on the brink of your best opportunity in years.
May 2010 By CR Staff
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The discussions and debates about the retiring baby boomers have been bandied about for years...and guess what, it's here!
Statistics show that more than half of those 65 and older have some disability, and more than half of those 85 or older are likely to suffer from some degree of dementia. Hearing loss, glaucoma, difficulty walking or climbing stairs, arthritis, diabetes and other chronic conditions that millions of Americans endure are only going to increase.
The reality is that there just isn't the money to build all of the nursing homes this country will need. Besides, most people want to work longer and live in their own homes anyway, so assistive devices and innovative services are crucial to keep them living independently.
We met with CEO Kent Hansen of Closeby at CES and learned firsthand about the opportunities that await electronic systems contractors in this growth market.
CustomRetailer: Would you provide some background on CloseBy? What are the company's goals and philosophy?
Kent Hansen, CEO of Card Access (CloseBy Network parent company): CloseBy Network is a subsidiary of Card Access, Inc., a privately held company headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Founded in 1995, Card Access has 32 employees and is a leading developer of wireless communications products. CloseBy Network launched at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2010, with a focus on developing technology solutions that will allow elderly and disabled loved ones to age in the comfort in their own homes.
CloseBy's Network mission is to provide high-quality, reliable technology solutions that will allow the elderly and disabled to age at home.
CR: What are the company's product offerings?
Hansen: The CloseBy Network is a highly flexible solution that uses wireless sensors and intelligent software to monitor activity in the home of a disabled or elderly loved one. The information gathered from the system is sent to a secure Web server that can be viewed real-time or set to send alerts and reports via e-mail or text message, to designated members of the care network. For example, the system's sensors allow family members and/or paid caregivers to be alerted when a loved one leaves a door open, forgets to turn the stove off or presses the Contact Me button for help.
The CloseBy Network supports a variety of products that enhance the level of care and assistance you can offer to loved ones in their homes. By combining different products, you can create a custom system that's suited to the needs of the family you're caring for remotely. This flexibility makes it easy to create a system that can expand as needed to address different issues that arise during care giving. The CloseBy Network system comes preconfigured with the following items, which is the recommended installation:
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