In a healthcare landscape facing increasing demands from an aging population, a promising trend is emerging: technology that enables older adults to assess their own cognitive and physical health, potentially identifying issues early while reducing strain on medical systems.
Digital Cognitive Assessment: A Case in Point
A recent study published in The Journals of Gerontology illustrates this approach. Researchers validated an online tool called the Brain Health Assessment (BHA) that allows older adults to self-administer tests for early signs of cognitive decline.
The study, conducted at Baycrest Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, found that this self-administered online assessment was nearly as effective as professionally administered screening tests in identifying amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), which often represents early stage Alzheimer’s disease.
“The BHA is a short, self-administered, online cognitive measure with utility as a screening measure for aMCI in community-dwelling older adults,” the researchers noted. “Our results provide support for the validity of the BHA as a cost- and time-efficient tool that can assist in streamlining preassessment for aMCI by health care practitioners” (Paterson et al., 2021).
This represents a significant shift in approach. Rather than requiring a visit to a specialist for initial screening, older adults can complete the assessment at home, with results indicating whether they should seek further medical evaluation.
The Broader Movement Toward Self-Assessment
This trend extends beyond cognitive health. Wearable technology has rapidly evolved from simple step counters to sophisticated health monitoring systems that track multiple vital signs.
Apple Watches and similar devices now offer ECG functionality, irregular heart rhythm notifications, and blood oxygen monitoring. These features can alert users to potential cardiovascular issues that might otherwise go undetected until a serious event occurs.
Devices like the Withings ScanWatch can track sleep patterns, detect sleep apnea symptoms, and monitor heart rate variability—all factors that can indicate various health conditions before they become severe enough to require emergency intervention.
Japan’s Smart Toilet Revolution
Perhaps the most intriguing development in self-assessment technology comes from Japan, where companies are developing toilets that analyze waste to provide health insights.
Toto, Japan’s largest toilet manufacturer, has been working on toilets that can analyze urine for glucose levels, potentially alerting users to prediabetic conditions. Their “Wellness Toilet” concept aims to track health metrics over time, sending data to users’ smartphones to identify potential health concerns.
Similarly, researchers at the Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed toilet systems that can measure weight, body fat, and blood pressure while the user sits on the toilet.
While these technologies might seem unusual to Western sensibilities, they represent a logical evolution in health monitoring—capturing data during routine daily activities rather than requiring special actions or medical visits.
Benefits and Limitations
The primary benefit of these self-assessment technologies is early detection. Conditions like cognitive decline, heart disease, and diabetes often develop gradually, with subtle changes that might be missed during infrequent medical visits but can be identified through continuous monitoring.
Additionally, these technologies can reduce the burden on healthcare systems by filtering which concerns need professional attention. When the BHA indicates normal cognitive function, for instance, that individual might not need to schedule an evaluation with a specialist, freeing that appointment for someone with clearer symptoms.
However, there are important limitations. These technologies cannot replace proper medical diagnosis, and there’s a risk that users might misinterpret results or experience unnecessary anxiety from false positives. Access and technological literacy also remain barriers, particularly for the oldest adults who might benefit most from these tools.
Looking Ahead
As these technologies mature, we can expect greater integration with healthcare systems. Rather than operating independently, self-assessment tools might feed data directly to primary care providers, allowing for more informed consultations and earlier interventions.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated telehealth adoption, creating frameworks that could incorporate data from home monitoring devices into virtual healthcare visits. This convergence might create a healthcare model where older adults primarily monitor their own health, consulting professionals when specific indicators suggest a need.
For seniors and their families, these developments offer a promising future: one where health concerns can be identified and addressed earlier, without requiring frequent medical visits, potentially extending independence and quality of life while optimizing use of healthcare resources.
Rather than replacing human care, these technologies may enhance it, ensuring that when older adults do interact with healthcare professionals, those interactions are more informed, targeted, and effective.
Reference:
Paterson, T. S. E., Sivajohan, B., Gardner, S., Binns, M. A., Stokes, K. A., Freedman, M., Levine, B., & Troyer, A. K. (2021). Accuracy of a Self-Administered Online Cognitive Assessment in Detecting Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 76(6), 1046–1054. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbab097
