Naju-si, First Nationwide Distribution of 'Smartwatch' for Health Signal Measurement

Published 05 Dec.2023 14:40(KST)

Naju City in Jeollanam-do is drawing attention by being the first in the nation to distribute ‘Smart watches’ to help manage the elderly residents’ health in preventing dementia, depression, and solitary deaths.

Naju City (Mayor Yoon Byung-tae) recently announced on the 5th that it has distributed smartwatches to 100 elderly people living alone or aged 75 and older, as well as those with mild dementia, residing in dementia-safe villages, and has started health care services based on real-time biometric and psychological data measurement and analysis.

Smartwatch and related app capable of measuring biometric health signals. <br>[Photo by Naju City]

Smartwatch and related app capable of measuring biometric health signals.
[Photo by Naju City]

The smartwatch is a care device equipped with functions to measure elderly residents’ biometric health signals such as real-time location tracking, oxygen saturation, abnormal heart rate, activity level (step count), and incidents like falls or fainting.

The core purpose is to identify and prevent health risk factors in advance by monitoring the monthly health index of the target elderly individuals.

Additionally, using a smartphone app connected to the watch, psychological survey results are analyzed for data on depression, anxiety, stress, and resilience, providing customized mental health care services that respond to emergency situations.

The smartwatch was developed as part of Naju City’s ‘Naju-type Smart Health Keeper Project’ in collaboration with Hanyang University Survival Signal Information Research Center and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA).

This project aims to build a network system between device users and related organizations by utilizing location information obtained through the smartwatch to prevent accidents involving dementia patients and to detect solitary deaths early.

The three organizations signed a business agreement in September last year and have conducted three rounds of research and demonstration to establish a wellness care system linking biometric and psychological data for the elderly health safety net.

Building on the demonstration results, the city was selected in July for the ‘Excellent Leading Project for Dementia-Safe Villages’ hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Moreover, at the ‘Ddeutseum’ presentation meeting, a Naju City policy research group, the project proposing the SMART AIP (Area-based Integrated Program for continuous community residence) system using smart devices won the grand prize, marking a double celebration.

The city plans to establish a rapid response system for accidents and emergencies by sharing real-time physical and mental health information of the elderly in cooperation with the fire station, police station, and local hospitals.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, “Through the nationwide first development of survival signal information technology based on smartwatches, we will provide customized care services unique to Naju City so that elderly residents can maintain their daily lives and social relationships in their villages and homes rather than in facilities.”