The motion sensors installed in the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and other locations in the house can check the movement of the elder and send the data to the guardian’s smartphone or computer every day.

Seoul, Korea, Aug 1 (Whowired) -- SK Telecom unveiled on July 31 a new “telecare” service for senior citizens who live independently without the in-person care of their children or elder care professionals. Using motion sensors and emergency beeper, thetelecare service can remotely monitor the aged and alert a healthcare provider or a guardian when an emergency situation arises.

The motion sensors installed in the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and other locations in the house can check the movement of the elder and send the data to the guardian’s smartphone or computer every day.

If there is no activity in the kitchen during meal time, for example, the guardian can see the person is skipping meals. If there is much traffic to the bathroom during night time, it implies the person has urinary problems. If no movement is detected for more than 8 hours even when she is home, the service will alert the guardian for emergency response. In addition, the telecare service will provide once-a-month in-person health checkup with a 30-person team of doctors and nurses.

Given the rapidly rising number of elders living alone, SK Telecom reckons the market for telecare services will increase very quickly. According to an estimate by LG Economic Research Institute, the number of the aged living independently was 1.02 million in 2010 but will increase to 1.51 million in 2020.

The telecare service is provided jointly by Hyo-Dream Telecare and Greencross Healthcare, as well as SK Telecom. The service charge is 19,800 won per month for standard-type and 39,600 won for premium-type service, based on 2-year contract and 3-year installment plan.

Sam Kim (press@whowired.com)