Flexpoint Sensor Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: FLXT), http://www.flexpoint.com, announced that they are currently working under an agreement with a company on the development of a Home Monitoring Presence Detection System using their patented Bend Sensor® design.
The system will be used to monitor the presence of individuals in certain locations of the home. With the aging population and increased life expectancy, many older individuals prefer to stay in their own homes. This system will allow individuals to live an independent life and still provide assurance, security and peace of mind for children and caregivers.
According to the US Census Bureau, in 2000 12.8% of the U.S. population, or approximately 39 million people, were over age 65. Baby boomers, those born between 1946–1964, comprised another 25% of the population. It is estimated that by the time the last of the baby boomers reach age 65, they will comprise 16% of the population.
The report, ”An Aging World: 2008,” shows that within 10 years older people will outnumber children for the first time. It forecasts that over the next 30 years the number of over-65s is expected to almost double, from 506 million in 2008 to 1.3 billion – a leap from 7% of the world's population to 14%. Already, the number of people in the world 65 and over is increasing at an average of 870,000 each month. With women living on average seven years longer than men, more older women are living alone. Around half of all women 65 and over are on their own, with all the consequent issues of loneliness and access to care that ensue.
As the number of people over age 65 increases, an even greater number of individuals and families will be looking for ways to provide in-home monitoring solutions that will allow individuals to continue to live at home.
The application of the Bend Sensor® in furniture and other areas of the home will allow for monitoring of the individuals and will facilitate the triggering of an alarm system if no movement is detected for a predetermined interval.
Clark Mower, President of Flexpoint Sensor Systems, stated, “We have been working on this application for some time and expect that it will be commercialized in the near future. This application has tremendous potential. We have provided a number of design changes, and the most recent version of the sensor is being tested and was displayed in a recent trade show.”