Blueroof Technologies
The Development of a
Non-Profit Organization
Devoted to Extending
Elderly Independent Living
Blueroof Mission
Mentoring
Youth
Training
Employment
Live and work in
McKeesport
Blueroof
Senior Smart house
Smart products
Entrepreneurship
Senior Citizens
Housing
Computer Training
Remain in community
Blueroof Technologies Inc, is a non-profit corporation that will use innovation, invention
and entrepreneurship to help senior citizens remain at home in their communities and to
provide youth the opportunity to train and become responsible and productive citizens.
The main components of Blueroof Technologies are:
·
Economic Development
·
Smart House Technology
·
Housing for Seniors
·
Technical Education for youth
·
Entrepreneurship
Blueroof Technologies
•Concepts began as result of findings
uncovered by a Allegheny General Hospital
Community Project
•Germinated an idea of combining
technology with practicality
City of McKeesport
•Population: 24,000
•Unemployment rate: 7.2 % (PA is 6.1%)
•Subsidized housing: 20%
•Seniors (over age 60): 25 %
•NORC: naturally occurring retirement
community
The McKeesport Aging Program
A Collaboration Between
Center for Neurosciences Research,
Allegheny General Hospital
and
UPMC McKeesport,
UPMC Health System
MAP Staff
• Robert T. Rubin, M.D., Ph.D., Principal Investigator
• Director, Ctr. Neurosci. Res., Allegheny General Hospital
• Sharyn A. Gesmond, R.N., M.S.N., Research Nurse
• MAP Office, UPMC McKeesport
• Lisa L. Long, Ph.D., Research Psychologist
• MAP Office, Allegheny General Hospital
• Barry L. Farkas, M.D., M.P.H., Co-Investigator
• Independent Researcher
History - MAP
• Started in 1997, supported by an endowment from an
anonymous community donor
• Mandate is to investigate community aspects of aging and
neurodegenerative diseases affecting independent living of
seniors
• McKeesport and White Oak selected as sites because of
demographics of seniors (2000 census):
• McKeesport: 21% ≥ 65 years
• 72% Caucasian, 25% African-American, 3% Other
• White Oak: 24% ≥ 65 years
• 98% Caucasian, 2% African-American
• Clairton, at their request, recently joined MAP
Keeping Elders Safe in Their Homes
• Three-part study designed to enhance independent
living for older adults; i.e., keep them safe in their
homes for as long as possible
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Benefits their physical and emotional well-being
Enhances quality of life
Reduces risk of accidents and injuries
Reduces Medicare expenditures
• In last two years, UPMC McKeesport had 141
admissions age ≥ 60 for hip fracture and replacement
• Total Medicare payments = $2,141,288 or $15,186 per
patient, not including after-care (skilled nursing facility,
physical therapy, etc.)
Keeping Elders Safe in Their Homes – Phase I
• Five-year retrospective review of police and fire
department records for contacts by seniors
• Completed to date (May 2002)
• McKeesport Fire Department: all 5 years; 5,696
records reviewed; 98 incidents determined
• 2/3 were smoke-related; most were burnt food
forgotten on stove
• White Oak Police Department: all 5 years; 25,655
records reviewed; 338 incidents determined
• ~ 20% vandalism; ~ 10% confusion, wandering;
~ 10% home theft; ~ 10% DOA; ~ 2% intoxication, DUI
• McKeesport Police Department: 3 years; 21,816
records reviewed; 1,090 incidents determined
• ~ 25% vandalism; ~ 20% home theft; ~ 10% DOA;
~ 6% intoxication, DUI
Keeping Elders Safe in Their Homes – Phase II
• In-Home Safety Surveys for seniors in independentliving arrangements (houses, apartments)
• Room-by-room assessment of electrical, gas, heating,
lighting, smoke alarms, fire-protection, ambulation
hazards, home security, emergency notification
methods, general home repair
• As of August 2002, 168 seniors included:
• 102 Caucasian and 29 African-American (22%) women
• 27 Caucasian and 10 African-American (27%) men
• Preliminary findings indicate need for fall risk-reduction
(e.g. stair treads, grab bars), bathroom accessibility,
improved fire safety (e.g. working smoke alarms),
improved home security (e.g. glass-block windows),
improved outside access (e.g. handicapped ramps)
Keeping Elders Safe in Their Homes – Phase III
• In-Home Personal Health Assessments for seniors in
independent-living arrangements (houses, apartments)
• Personal and family medical history, review of systems,
current medications (Rx’ed and OTC), physical and
cognitive status (MMSE, clock drawing), ADLs (including
driving), health habits (nutrition, exercise, sleep,
smoking, alcohol, MD visits, financial (health insurance,
living will, advance directives, food assistance),
family/social activities, use of available senior programs
• As of August 2002, 170 seniors included (Phase II + 2)
• Preliminary findings indicate need for depression
screening, ADL assistance (e.g. shopping), more social
contacts, wills/advance directives, education about
Rx’ed medications and community programs
Giving Back to the Community – I
MAP Participants and Community at Large
• All Phase II/III participants given a package
containing two 60-watt light bulbs, two night lights,
flashlight with batteries, smoke detector (if needed),
baking soda (for stove fires), non-skid bathtub mat,
compartmentalized pill box, rubberized bottle
opener, ruler with magnifying glass, pen, pencil, key
chain with MAP telephone number, home safety and
Senior Citizens Against Crime booklets
• In 2000, three open community evening programs
held at McKeesport High School
• Aging Well
• Community Safety for Seniors
• Common Problems in Aging: Medical and Legal
Concerns
Giving Back to the Community – II
Home Improvements
• Home improvements accomplished for 34 sites, based
on deficiencies identified in Phase II study; several
other sites awaiting availability of funds
• Electrical upgrades, grab bars, access ramps, glass
block windows, new bathrooms, roof repairs, etc.
• Basic support ($2500) from McKeesport Community
Development Block Grant, now entering its third year
• Additional support from other community agencies
(Action Housing, McKeesport Housing Corporation,
Nazareth Housing Services, Twin Rivers Council of
Governments)
Giving Back to the Community – III
Personal Health Improvements
• Personal-health improvements targeted for Phase III
participants
• Referral to primary-care physicians for identified health
problems, lack of vaccinations
• Referral to social-service agencies and programs
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Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging (ADL assistance)
Meals-on-Wheels
Local community senior facilities and food-bank services
Property-tax rebate programs
Utility company energy-assistance programs
Given Neighborhood Legal Services Association pamphlet
on elder-law (wills, advance directives, financial issues)
MAP Collaborations – I
• Clinical Epidemiology of Dementia in General Practice
National Institute on Aging, AG16705, 4/99 – 3/04
Mary Ganguli, M.D., M.P.H., UPMC / WPIC, P.I.
• Assessing workup and diagnosis of dementias in
primary-care-practice patients in relation to their
functional impairments
• The earlier the diagnosis and treatment of incipient
dementias, e.g. Alzheimer’s disease, the longer seniors
can remain in independent-living arrangements
MAP Collaborations – II
• McKeesport Center for Smart Aging
Robert A. Walters, P.E.., PSU McKeesport
• Develop business and research center for “smart”
products for seniors
• Design and build McKeesport Senior Smart House;
retrofit existing senior housing
• Energy management, video monitoring and conferencing
for health and safety
• MAP can detail home-safety and personal health needs
• MAP can refer independently living seniors to beta-test
Smart House and as long-term residents of Smart
Housing clusters
• MAP can facilitate Smart House medical monitoring
through UPMC McKeesport or other hospital
Goals
1. Develop technology and build new homes
that will keep seniors at home longer, safer
and healthier
2. Provide training program for seniors in
technology usage
3. Develop area for cluster of Senior Smart
Homes
Smart Technology
• The use of computer hardware and
software and Information Technology
to control, monitor and optimize
household appliances and systems.
House built by McKeesport High School
Construction Technology students
Add Smart House technology
to McKeesport High School homes
• Must be
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Low cost
Low maintenance
Energy efficient
Adapted to senior life styles
And “Wired”
McKeesport Senior Smart House
functions via www:
• Energy Management Appliance and
lighting control
• Video monitoring and conferencing
• Security
• Safety
• Health
• Wellness
McKeesport Senior Smart House
functions via www:
• Energy Management
Remote adjustment of thermostat
Improve efficiency
• Appliance and lighting control
Turn on lights remotely
Stoves on/off
Water left running
Internet Functions
• Video monitoring
Who is at the front door?
• Video conferencing
Family, Medical, Shopping
• Security
Fire and smoke alarms
Intrusion
Internet Functions
• Health
Blood pressure, temperature, EKG, weight,
medication, etc.
• Safety
Activity monitors, alert buttons and fall
detectors
• Wellness
Diet, exercise and preventive medicine
Internet Functions
• “Cyber” Nurse
* Visits a number of patients each day
via the Internet.
* Video conferencing to see and talk to
patients.
* Database of patient records and
activity
Beta House
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McKeesport Aging Program house
In residential area
Smaller house (1000 sq ft)
2 bedrooms, slab foundation
Seniors will live in house for several
months
• Test ideas and concepts
Training for seniors in IT
• Research associates
• Computers and components
• Computer usage-Senior computer
interface
• Internet usage including email
• Advanced technology
Develop cluster of Senior homes
• Close to hospital
• Share resources
• Share services
• Currently will be using donated land
next to a senior citizen high-rise to
build up to six cottages
•Shown are the initial
designs for the “Beta” SCS
•Two-bedroom, 1000 square
foot ranch
•Bedrooms are oversized
and all the doors and
hallways are extra-wide
•Bathroom is designed to
handle wheelchairs, with
extra space around the
fixtures and appliances
Smart Cottage for Seniors
(Conceptual)
FRONT VIEW
Wiring
TALK / DATA
TALK
DSL Modem
RS CS TR RD TD CD
Router/Firewall
Switching Hub w/ VPN
CISCO SYSTEMS
Internet
Residence
Server
7x
8x
9x
1x
2x
3x
10x
11x
12x
7x
8x
9x
4x
5x
6x
1x
2x
3x
10x
11x
12x
4x
5x
6x
C
7 8 9 101112
A
12 34 56
A
B
Switching
Hub
24 Port
House W iring
Contros
SIDE A
Ethernet
Ethernet
UPS
7x
8x
9x
1x
2x
3x
10x
11x
12x
7x
8x
9x
4x
5x
6x
1x
2x
3x
10x
11x
12x
4x
5x
6x
C
7 8 9 101112
A
1 2 34 56
A
B
House W Iring
Controls
SIDE B
Switching
Hub
24 Port
Wiring
The connected home
Technology Components
McKeesport Senior Smart Cottage “SMART” functions
Energy Management
Remote adjustment of thermostat
Improve efficiency
Automatic cutback
Appliance and lighting control
Video monitoring
Turn on lights remotely
Stoves on/off
Water left running?
Who is at the front door?
Video conferencing
Family, Medical, Shopping
Security
Fire and smoke alarms
Intrusion-all windows and doors
Health
Blood pressure, temperature, EKG, weight, medication management and
recording, pacemaker monitoring, cholesterol testing – IP connected
Safety
Activity monitors, alert buttons and fall detectors
Wellness
Diet, exercise and preventive medicine
Cyber Nurse
Visits a number of patients each day via the Internet.
Video conferencing to see and talk to patients.
Database of patient records and activity
Guaranteed power for two outlets in the house for emergency operation of
critical medical equipment. Propane UPS for every two houses
AC power emergency outlets
Research Center
Current Participants
• State of Pennsylvania – Lt Gov. Baker-Knoll
• Allegheny Hospital McKeesport Aging Project
• FBI Community Outreach Program
• Allegheny County Sports & Exhibition Authority
• Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild
• Office of U.S. Senator Rick Santorum
• Hanson Design Group Architects