Development of an IoT Based Smart Care for Enhancing Elderly Monitoring

Abstract

This research contributes to the growing field of gerontechnology by addressing both physical and physiological factors associated with falls. Unlike conventional walking aids, the proposed system integrates multiple sensor modalities to provide a holistic monitoring approach. The study emphasizes not only the technical validation of the device but also user-centered aspects such as ergonomics, usability, and caregiver support. This comprehensive approach enhances its potential for real-world adoption. Falls are a leading cause of injury, dependency, and reduced quality of life among older adults. This study presents the design and development of an IoT-based smart cane equipped with multiple sensors to enhance mobility safety for elderly users in Thailand's rapidly aging society. The cane integrates an MPU6050 accelerometer, MAX30102 pulse oximeter, and FSR402 pressure sensor, all connected to an ESP8266 microcontroller with GPS functionality. These components allow real-time monitoring of balance, heart rate, and oxygen saturation, while also transmitting fall alerts to caregivers through IoT-based communication. Previous smart cane solutions have shown limitations including inadequate sensor integration, high false-alarm rates, and lack of cultural adaptation for Southeast Asian contexts. The prototype demonstrated 92% accuracy in fall detection with a 6% false alarm rate. Physiological measurements achieved acceptable precision (±2% for oxygen saturation, ±3 bpm for heart rate), while GPS tracking latency averaged 1.5 seconds. User feedback indicated increased walking confidence and satisfaction with ergonomic design, though further weight reduction was recommended. Results indicate that the smart cane reduces fall risks and improves confidence in walking