Smartwatches with All-Round, Real-Time Healthcare Support

Smartwatches are commonly used for health monitoring, measuring heart rate, blood pressure, blood lipids, sleep quality, balance-related metrics, and other physical conditions. However, even if the data reflects an emergency situation, most users lack the expertise to interpret it and take appropriate action. “When I look at my watch and see my heart beating too fast, what can I do to restore normal health?” Edwin, Director of the social innovation project ZenHealth, explains: “Our service try to ensure the right information reaches the right person at the right time.”

Using Data to Address Individual Elderly Needs

ZenHealth is a user-centric system that employs artificial intelligence to analyse wearable data, providing personalised recommendations for treatment, care services, and healthy living. It also promotes preventive care with automated alerts that trigger immediate assistance. “Our goal is to act as a safeguard—when issues arise, professionals are alerted to intervene, potentially saving lives.” For example, by monitoring blood pressure, heart rate, lifestyle habits, and current medications, healthcare providers can predict and prevent certain falls. Our primary users are elderly individuals, with nurses, caregivers, family members, or third-party care services acting as their “watchers.” For seniors living alone without immediate support, this system can be life-saving.

Two Watches, Around-the-Clock Monitoring

As an incubatee, Edwin received funding from The Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund through MakerBay Foundation’s Impact Innovation Lab. In the initial phase, 60 elderly participants from three care homes and singletons (those living alone) were given two health watches each. “The watches act as rotating caregivers, enabling 24/7 monitoring,” Edwin says. If the system detects an abnormality, an alert appears on the nurses’ station monitor, providing real-time health updates. This helps prioritise emergencies and improve care efficiency without disrupting workflows or overloading hardware and software. “We aim to deliver only essential, actionable information to caregivers.”

Earning Trust and Support Along the Way

Convincing care homes to adopt new systems is challenging. Initially, Edwin’s team provided regular reports demonstrating how ZenHealth could reduce workloads, such as automating health record entries and vital sign data collection. Recognising caregivers’ efforts was also crucial in building trust. Facing persistent lobbying and technical hurdles, Edwin acknowledged MakerBay Foundation’s role in offering both psychological and financial support. “They provided guidance, equipment, startup backing, and connections with like-minded people through their Incubation programme. I’ve gained deep insights into elderly care needs while realising I’m not alone in this mission.”

Achieving Patient Empowerment

After piloting in residential care homes, ZenHealth plans to expand features for singletons and leverage the collected data. The team is exploring integrations with existing services like Personal Emergency Link, pharmacies, healthcare workers, and NGOs to strengthen community safety nets. Drawing from his UK experience as a pharmacist, Edwin highlights how access to resources enables patients to manage minor health issues independently, easing strain on public healthcare systems. “Patient empowerment is key—it encourages proactive decision-making. Our mission is to make life safer and more convenient for the elderly.”