Hello and welcome back to the Paddock Room. I'm Margo. I'm here with Wayne and this is
Talking Tech with Wayne. The podcast dedicated to discussing smart phones, smart homes and
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That number is 215-406-HELP. 215-406-4357. Today we will discuss smart assistive clothing for
seniors. So Wayne what is smart clothing and how can it benefit our listeners? Smart clothing is a
wearable technology that can measure various physiological and biometric data such as heart
rate, breathing rate and body temperature among others. This data can provide valuable insights
into a wearer's health status. Help them stay healthy and active. So let's dive into the topic
and explore some benefits of smart assistive clothing. Firstly smart clothing can help users
monitor their heart health. Heart disease is a leading cause of death among seniors and early
detection is critical for better outcomes. With smart clothing seniors can monitor their
health, heart health and detect any irregularities which can be reported to their healthcare
provider. Secondly smart clothing can help them manage chronic conditions such as diabetes.
For instance some smart clothing can measure glucose levels helping seniors with diabetes
monitor their blood, sugar levels without pricking their fingers. This can lead to better diabetes
management improving wearer's overall quality of life. Thirdly smart clothing can help folks
stay safe by detecting falls. Falls are a major health risk for seniors often resulting in serious
injuries. Some smart clothing has built-in sensors that detect falls and automatically alert
emergency services or designated caregiver. This can provide peace of mind for seniors and their
loved ones knowing that help is always available in an emergency. Finally smart clothing can also
help those with mobility issues. For example some smart clothing can provide haptic feedback
improving posture and balance and make it easier for seniors to walk or stand. This can lead to
improve mobility and a reduced risk of falls. So that's a brief overview of some of the benefits
of smart assistive clothing as always it's important to consult with our hair health care
professional before using any new technology or changing your health management routine. Wow that's
amazing what about temperature regulation? Yes some smart clothing can also regulate body
temperature. For example jackets with built-in heating and cooling systems can help wearers
stay more comfortable in extreme temperatures. That's really impressive. Are there any potential
drawbacks to using smart clothing? Well one potential drawback is that smart clothing can be
expensive so it may not be accessible to everyone. Additionally some listeners may feel
uncomfortable with clothing with technology built in so it's important to consider individual
preferences and needs. And that's a good point. Are there any other considerations folks who
consider when choosing smart clothing? Yes it's important to choose comfortable clothing that
fits well as this can affect the accuracy of the sensors and other technology. Choosing
clothing that is easy to use and maintain is also important. Thank you for sharing that
information with us Wayne. Seeing how technology is integrated into clothing to improve users'
lives is very exciting. It's an exciting time for wearable technology and I think we'll see even
more advances in the coming years. Some smart clothing can also be connected to voice activated
assistance like Amazon Alexa or Google Home so you can control your smart clothing hands-free.
What are some examples of smart clothing? A few different types of smart clothing that are on
the market today. One example is hexa skin smart shirt. This shirt is designed to track your heart
rate, breathing rate and activity level. It's made from a breathable fabric to keep you comfortable
during workouts. Another example is a Mayard skin smart underwear. This underwear is designed to
monitor your heart rate, breathing rate and sleep patterns. It can also provide hectic feedback to
help you correct your posture. While smart clothing is still a relatively new technology, it's a
rapidly growing area. As more and more people become interested in the benefits of wearable
technology, we can expect to see some smart clothing options for seniors. So if you're a
senior looking to improve your health and well-being, consider trying smart clothing.
Wayne, any final words on smart clothing? Yes, it can improve seniors' mobility and
independence. Smart clothing can provide extra support and adjust to the wearer's movements,
making it easier for them to move around and perform their daily tasks. Second, it can improve
senior health and safety. By monitoring vital signs and detecting falls, smart clothing can help
prevent health emergencies and alert caregivers or health care providers when necessary. Third,
it can enhance seniors' comfort and well-being. Smart clothing can adjust to the wearer's
need, providing extra support and comfort as needed. Finally, smart assistive clothing can help
seniors maintain their dignity and independence. It can be run discreetly and comfortably without
bulky medical equipment or devices. As with any technology, there's also some potential for drawbacks
to consider. One is the cost. Smart assistive clothing can be expensive and not all seniors can
afford it. Another consideration is the need for training and support. Seniors may need assistance
learning how to use the clothing and interpret the data it provides. Despite these potential
challenges, smart assistive clothing is a promising technology that has the potential to greatly
enhance seniors' lives. Absolutely. As of all the information we share here, flex your Google
search muscles, log into our website, www.talking-tech.org, or call our helpline. And that number is
215-406-HELP. That's 215-406-4357. Well, I see that's all the time I have for today. It has been
my pleasure to be here, and I look forward to the next time we can do it again. I wish you all a farewell.