Italy launches smart bracelet to protect elderly during heatwaves

Italy has introduced a smart electronic bracelet designed to help protect elderly people during extreme heatwaves. The wearable device monitors users health remotely and can quickly alert caregivers in case of an emergency.

According to Reuters, 85-year-old widow Dina Gazila from Rome had been living alone since the death of her husband in 2023 and her pet cat a year later. Thanks to this smart technology however, she is no longer completely on her own.

A team of social workers remotely monitors her through the electronic bracelet which tracks her heart rate, sleep patterns and allows her to request help during emergencies.

The device is part of a €400 million ($456 million) elderly care initiative launched last year by the Rome municipal government with support from the European Union’s post-COVID recovery fund. Around 700 people are currently benefiting from the program.

Local authorities describe the bracelet as an important tool for protecting health and preventing illness especially as Europe experiences increasingly severe and potentially deadly heatwaves. Temperatures in Rome have recently climbed into the high 30s Celsius.

How electronic bracelet works?

The bracelet must fit securely around the wrist because it transmits health data through direct skin contact. If the wearer is conscious during an emergency, they can press the SOS button to request immediate assistance. The device operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It is waterproof and should be worn at all times including while bathing. It only needs to be removed for charging. During extreme heat, the bracelet is particularly valuable because older adults often experience lower blood pressure and reduced heart rate making them more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.

The device also helps reduce anxiety and distress caused by excessive heat. Although some people initially worried that the bracelet would monitor their private lives, it does not contain a camera. It only monitors health indicators.

As a result, both elderly users and their families have become more comfortable with the technology and many users eventually forget they are even wearing it.

Clinical psychologist Piera Pomente said the bracelet is especially important during hot weather because older adults are more susceptible to the effects of extreme heat due to lower blood pressure and slower heart rates.

The black plastic bracelet worn like a wristwatch is equipped with motion sensors that can immediately detect accidental falls. It also continuously monitors the wearer’s movements whether they are inside their home or outside in the eastern suburbs of Rome.

Gazila told Reuters, “If I become ill, this device could save my life. The bracelet has given me peace of mind.” The bracelet is provided free of charge by local authorities. However, some people have expressed concerns about the privacy of their personal information.

According to Pomente, about 70 people initially joined the program but only around 45 participants remain active today. She expressed hope that the others would eventually return to the program. She emphasized, “We are not spying on people inside their homes with cameras.”

Her team provides support Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. During nights and weekends, if the bracelet sends an emergency alert, a notification is automatically forwarded to the wearer’s family members through a mobile application.

Over the past year, Pomente’s team has responded to two emergency incidents. In one case, an elderly man collapsed on the street. In another, a wheelchair user fell inside his home. On both occasions, family members were immediately notified and arrived quickly to provide assistance.

On most days, however, the service focuses on routine welfare checks and providing emotional support. Social workers call elderly participants daily to ensure they have taken their medications, ask how they are coping with the heat and offer companionship if they are feeling lonely or isolated.

Pomente explained, “Our goal is to give them someone to talk to about their daily experiences, their emotions and the effects of the heat, while ensuring they feel supported rather than alone.”