Device detects distress signal from terminally ill senior, prompting emergency response
The Banghak 2-dong community center in Seoul's Dobong-gu announced Tuesday that it had used a smart plug monitoring system to detect and rescue an elderly resident living alone who had collapsed at home.
On Sept. 21, the smart plug management system flagged an abnormal signal from the senior's residence. After multiple phone calls went unanswered, a visiting nurse and a welfare officer went to the scene immediately. They found the elderly resident collapsed in the kitchen, unable to move due to severe pain. Staff arranged for the resident to be transported to a nearby hospital, where the person is currently receiving treatment.
The resident had been diagnosed with terminal cancer in February and, unable to undergo surgery, had refused further treatment and was receiving only pain medication. The community center had been conducting regular welfare checks through both home nursing visits and the smart plug system.
A smart plug monitors real-time changes in electricity consumption and light levels in the homes of residents at risk of dying alone. If no change is detected over a set period, the device sends a tiered alert, allowing monitoring staff to follow up by phone or dispatch someone to the scene for an immediate emergency response.
"There were difficulties connecting the resident to care services, but the continuous welfare checks through the smart plug allowed us to detect the crisis quickly," said Kwon Eun-suk, head of the Banghak 2-dong community center. "We will continue to look after elderly residents who fall through the cracks and provide the help they need."
ikson@heraldcorp.com
