Genus, the smart care hub for older people and people with care needs

In recent years, the world has quickly discovered the possibilities of video calling. However, there is a large group – mainly older people – that is being left behind. These older people often already struggle with loneliness and isolation. Think of grandchildren who live far away, or an older person living alone who is no longer mobile and rarely goes out. Popular video apps are often too complicated for them. How can you still stay connected with these older people from a distance? This thought led to the development of the product ‘Genus’: a smart care hub that keeps older people at home in touch with family and friends, as well as with care professionals and informal carers. Smart sensors monitor their wellbeing, ensuring 24/7 care regardless of distance.

Genus consists of three parts: the Genus for the user, the Genus app for family members, friends and informal carers, and the cloud where all data is collected. So the concept was rock solid, but how do you develop a software system like this with an accompanying app, both of which also have to be perfectly connected? That’s a job for our tech experts!

Warning: for the non-techies among us, this will take some perseverance, because here come the technical specs!

Let’s start with the Genus. The Genus is an Android-based platform with a closed sandbox, in which the user can only use the Genus ecosystem. The Genus has built-in sensors that measure light, motion, humidity, temperature, gas and noise level. If there are deviations in the user’s daily routine, Genus flags them immediately. The sensors periodically (every minute, in fact!) report data to the cloud. All this data is stored in a dedicated time-series database. In the cloud, the sensor data can be processed to create a personal profile of the frame user’s environment and to detect deviations from it.

A smartphone can be linked to the Genus through the Genus app (simply download it from the App Store or Google Play). By entering a unique pairing code in the app, your phone is linked to the Genus of the older person concerned. Once the app and the Genus are linked, you can share photos and make video calls. A select group of Genus app users, for example the resident’s children and regular carers, also has access to the recorded data. This lets them keep an eye on things from a distance. When a Genus user wants to get in touch, he or she can press the contact button on the Genus, after which selected users are contacted. This is made possible by push notifications. Finally, friends, family and informal carers are reminded at various moments to actively use the Genus app. They receive a reminder when their patient, parent or grandparent has not received any photos or video calls for a while. Genus as a whole has a modular design. This means that in the future we can offer additional functionality for specific users, tailored to their wishes and needs.

The result is something to be proud of! Genus is a very easy and user-friendly way for older people to receive photos and make video calls. But Genus does more than connect people: it also tackles a major social problem, namely loneliness among older people. Through Genus, an older person can indicate that he or she would like some contact. Friends and family receive a notification of the contact request in the app. Whoever has time, one of the grandchildren for example, can video call grandpa or grandma straight away! “Every photo I receive is a little moment of attention for me. Whatever the photo is, I really love the fact that someone is thinking of me at that moment.” Genus user, aged 94.

Besides its social function, Genus also promotes the independence and safety of older people. The Genus contains several smart sensors that monitor the older person’s wellbeing. These sensors provide direct insight into, among other things, daily rhythm, the quality of the living environment and movement. Does the daily rhythm deviate from normal? Then the care professional receives a notification via the app and can, if necessary, make a video call or visit straight away.

Conversely, older people can use Genus to call on care professionals for help and receive care via video. Think of an explanation of new medication. In this way, Genus makes it possible to continue living at home safely and independently for longer, and contributes to more efficient care delivery.

Finally, Genus has recently been extended with an SOS necklace. This necklace is connected to the Genus and the Genus app. If an older person falls, he or she can use the SOS necklace to ask family members or informal carers for help. This gives loved ones more peace of mind and confidence in the wellbeing of their parent(s).