Birdhouse (Eldercare)

Supporting seniors - Unnoticed senior deaths

Hello, World! We are HeartHackers ❤️, a team of 4 with diverse backgrounds but with a common passion - to help and provide support to the elderly and caregivers. We seek to address their evolving needs and aspirations, in view of societal changes due to an ageing population. Join us as we play our part to shape a more compassionate nation, where we are powered by the heart ❤️!

Team members:

• Carlos Chacon, Developer

• Debby Ling, Data Scientist

• Pamela Chan Ting Jun, Business/Data Analyst

• Shanelle Ng, Product Designer

Problem Statement

Isolated seniors in Singapore value their independence and are at a greater risk of adverse events, such as falls or sudden illness, going unnoticed when they live alone. Next-of-kin who do not live with their senior relatives face challenges in monitoring them, leading to constant concerns about their safety.

While there are plans to expand the number of Active Ageing Centers (AACs) to better support the seniors, these centers faces significant challenges in providing adequate support due to limited volunteers, time, and budget. Furthermore, many existing technological solutions for senior care are too costly and not designed to integrate smoothly with the centers' daily operations. This creates a gap that leaves seniors vulnerable to delayed care and places burden on already overstretched caregivers.

Proposed Solution

Our cost-effective and scalable Birdhouse motion sensor solution provides continuous, real-time monitoring of seniors' activity levels in the comfort of their homes.

By placing small and discreet motion sensors throughout key areas of the home, the system detects any changes in daily activity patterns. If inactivity is detected for a pre-set period, an AI bot automatically sends an alert to the senior's next of kin, prompting them to check in. Should the family member not respond within time, the care center's staff will receive an alert through the Birdhouse dashboard or via email.

This solution seamlessly integrates with AACs, offering real-time, actionable insights for timely intervention. Through this approach—monitoring seniors' safety while maintaining their independence—Birdhouse aims to ensures that seniors living alone are safeguarded while giving peace of mind to both families and caregivers.

Benefits for AACs
- Streamlined check-in workflow, through seamless integration and AI/ML pattern recognition and analysis
- Enhanced senior engagement
- Alleviates strain on caregivers

Benefits for Seniors
- A cost-effective solution for a peace of mind
- Timely access to care
- Reduced risk of undetected emergencies