New Scientist: Application of RFID technology in Alzheimer's disease

Up to November 2004 I had worked in the community for some ten years with older people (and some well-under '65 years old') who were coping, usually supported by their families; sometimes struggling alone with "Oh, I'm fine!" dementia.


As an ICT enthusiast I've attended presentations that highlight the role that telecare and telematics is playing in extending independence and maintaining quality of life for people with chronic medical conditions. Of course people and families who are robbed of so much, deserve all the help that can be provided.

Having just completed 7,000 words on Hodges' model, selected works of philosopher Michel Serres and informatics, it has struck me the way that just as health and medicine has its many disciplines, so informatics has its various schools. There is community, social, health, e-government, biomedical and many others...

There are two key characteristics of the (western) population pyramid: form and implications. It's getting top heavy as older people far out-number the young. At that top heavy blunt-end there will be increased call on social and mental health care services. Meanwhile, at the sharp-end the younger generation will be (already are!) the 'new generation carers'. Optimist that I am - I'm on that cusp, you know that one where you are looking back and looking forward in equal measure. As a nurse you have to worry these days what passes as 'care' never mind 'nursing care'.

The 'youngsters' will rise to the challenge, won't they? Otherwise, the State will help...

If not, what other solutions are available? And hold on, whose 'solutions' will they be? Will those at the sharp end call for blunt solutions or sharp ones?

Informatics values are out there, but where is the value system that provides ethical assurance across informatics disciplines, health and social policy?

Whatever your age and state of health this New Scientist item begs reading and reflection - 'Plan to 'chip' Alzheimer's patients causes protest'.

I hope you don't have to say "best read the manufacturer's blurb now"!