Hold on to your smart phones, Seniors!

Technology giants Apple, in an unlikely move, joined hands with IBM in launching a product aimed at keeping Japanese home care patients better connected with their physicians.  The joint venture will result in Japanese seniors being able to use the IBM-developed health care applications on their iPhones and iPads.  Integrating data onto Apple’s HealthKit and ResearchKit cloud platform, the data will be easily accessible to health care professionals, which would in turn mean better care for the clients.

Why Japan was chosen to launch this revolutionary application is unknown.  However, what is known is that Japan Post will be of vital help in rolling out the service to clients.

Not only will the provider be informed of the patients’ current condition, the app will also remind the seniors of their medication timings, upcoming appointments, help with household chores, and facilitate communication with healthcare physicians and providers, but it will also help the seniors in arranging for transportation for appointments and leisurely visits.

Apple’s CEO Tim Cook ensured that the aim has always been to integrate technology at every step of the seniors’ life.  The all-famous Siri will also be an integral part of the app to read emails or help with other chores for those with visual disabilities.

Cook joined IBM CEO Ginni Rometty seemed confident of the apps success at the products launch, and ensured the nominal cost of the service will be outweighed by the features.

Senior’s make up about 25% of Japan’s population, which is projected to cross 40% in the next 4 decades.

When questioned regarding privacy of data, the pioneers ensured that the amount of data shared will be at the patients’ discretion.  Patients may even choose to keep their personal information anonymized.

It may be a while before the success of these apps may be gauged.  But if deemed a success in Japan, it won’t be long before this app finds its way to most of the baby-boomers pockets.