We all know our Apple watches and fitness trackers are great, but who would’ve thought they could help save a life? An 80 year old woman was saved by her Apple watch that had built in fall detection. She fell, and the watch dialed 112, the emergency line in Germany. Thankfully, she was not injured however it could have been a lot worse. Old people are extremely fragile and falls can cause a lot of damage. Thankfully if anything were to happen in the future, we know her Apple watch will do the right thing.
Other fitness tracking devices, such as a Fitbit, can also be useful in the older population. Not just for fall prevention, but they can help older adults be more physically active. A study was done involving 95 adults ages 70 and older. Results showed that most of the seniors found using a Fitbit to be feasible and useful. Another study used videoconferencing and mobile apps to increase physical activity in women who were transitioning into motherhood, as this population usually significantly decreases their physical activity. Results showed that video conferencing was easy to use and most of the women increased their physical activity to at least 2 video sessions per week. Technology can be very useful when it comes to people increasing their physical activity levels.
On another note, a new weight loss implant device was approved by the FDA.
The device applies bursts of electrical current to the vagus nerve, in turn disrupting the signals that prompt the stomach to “relax, expand and prepare for an influx of food.” The procedure is done with a laparoscope and only takes 60-90 minutes. The device has been approved for adults with a BMI between 35 and 45, or who have at least one other weight related condition such as type 2 diabetes. It is amazing to see how far medicine has advanced since earlier times. In the future I hope to see a society that focuses more on a healthy lifestyle that includes adequate physical activity and a proper diet. If people started living this way there wouldn’t be as high of a need for weight loss devices and other obesity-related surgeries/treatments.
Thanks for reading! Check me out on social media!
–Youtube, Twitter, instagram and my website! 🙂
Fit Photography 