“The research and immersion grant on research development and the entrepreneurial is a unique effort to fill the gap between research and entrepreneurship,” added the university.
Technology becomes a increasingly important part Coordinated efforts to extend the aging capacities in place to more communities. Owens and his colleagues also think that he plays an important role in maintaining social interactivity between beneficiaries.
“It is not only a question of helping older adults to stay at home, but also to maintain links in their community, daily routines and family relationships,” said Owens. “This is why it is important that we, as a university, develop not only interventions to support the aging in place, but we ensure that these products reach people outside the walls of our laboratories.”
Sue Levkoff, director of Smartstate Seniorsmart Center of Economic Excellence at the University, added that ideas will be precious for potential collaborations with technology suppliers.
The funding “will provide Shaun with knowledge, skills and opportunities to network with other technological companies to provide innovative technologies related to aging in South Carolina,” said Levkoff.
The work will involve the installation of the Orcatech technological platform, developed by Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). It works using a combination of hardware and software to “continue continuously daily activities at home and can monitor behavioral changes”, Ohsu explained.
Owens’ work installs the platform in 10 households to “assess its effectiveness, feasibility and acceptance among rural African-American and low-income living with cognitive decline and their care partners,” said the university.
“Understanding the impact of remote monitoring technology on this population can guide the development of tailor -made aging and allow the ability to link customers to clinicians, other care partners and caregivers,” said Owens.