Your Friday 'I can't believe this is in the paper...'

In contrast to the thoughtful article by Dr. Miriam Stoppard that ran in the UK Daily Mirror a few days ago, this pastiche that appeared in the Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger/NJ.com is not only half-baked, but also furthers the poor reputation of healthcare technology as 'gadgets', 'bye and bye in the future' and (of course) violative of privacy.  By focusing on smart appliances  that will tell if one is eating too much or too little, 'personal assistants' that will coach one on speeches and whiz-bang sensors that will tell if one is tense, it ignores what is here and now to help older people live better and more safely--  such as the pill reminders and the motion/gait/fall sensors that already exist.  The MCT News Service (?) article is chock-full of these bits; the accompanying illustration does beg a question.  If our lady on the couch hasn't moved in 24 hours, and only now the smartphone is 'deciding' (poor choice of words there) to call 911, the stove burner she left on might well have incinerated the house!  Eat lunch before you read.  [Ed. Donna--tip of the hat to a senior US telecare exec, who must remain anonymous, for contributing.]