Navigate Up
News Release Search
GO
UPMC/University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences
​
Stephanie Stanley
Media Coordinator
Telephone: 412-586-9762
UPMC Media Relations

 

Technology and Aging Focus of Conference to be Hosted by UPMC, Pitt and CMU

PITTSBURGH, March 17, 2010 – Technology is assuming an increasingly important role in the delivery of health care to the aged and in the way that individuals and families manage their own health and the health of their elderly family members. New systems are changing how clinicians access patient information and communicate with each other, expediting prevention, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic disorders. Devices that permit remote and self-monitoring are proliferating, as are technologies that promote independent living and enhance quality of life.

Aging and technology at the cutting edge will be the focus of a conference on how technology drives innovation and spawns new methods of acute and primary care in long-term and home settings. The Technology for Life and Living Conference will be held from 7a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday, March 26, at the Omni William Penn Hotel, 530 William Penn Place, Downtown Pittsburgh.

The conference is jointly sponsored by UPMC, the University of Pittsburgh Institute on Aging and the Quality of Life Technology (QoLT) Center, a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center. QoLT is a unique partnership between Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh that brings together a cross-disciplinary team of technologists, clinicians, industry partners, end users and other stakeholders to create revolutionary technologies that will improve and sustain the quality of life for all people.

Conference participants will explore existing and emerging technologies that support clinical practice and consumer-centric care in the home and community. The morning sessions will focus on the role of technology by clinicians in caring for older adults, while the afternoon sessions will be geared toward the family caregiver.

IBM healthcare technology director, Paul Grundy, M.D., M.P.H., will discuss the importance of the patient-centered medical home in caring for older adults in his keynote address at 8 a.m., Friday, March 26.

Some of the sessions included are:

  • Emerging technologies, including personal robots and Japan-led advances in aging services
  • Technology for everyday living, including driving, medication management and behavior monitoring
  • Challenges and implications of technology development

In addition to the Technology Conference, there are many additional sessions available for health care professionals at the annual Clinical Update in Geriatric Medicine Conference being held Thursday, March 25 through Saturday, March 27.

For a complete list of sessions and to register, visit http://ccehs.upmc.edu.

©  UPMC | Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences
Supplemental content provided by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions. All rights reserved.

For help in finding a doctor or health service that suits your needs, call the UPMC Referral Service at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Select option 1.

UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. UPMC policy prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, genetics, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected group status. Further, UPMC will continue to support and promote equal employment opportunity, human dignity, and racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity. This policy applies to admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in UPMC programs and activities. This commitment is made by UPMC in accordance with federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations.

Medical information made available on UPMC.com is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely entirely on this information for your health care needs. Ask your own doctor or health care provider any specific medical questions that you have. Further, UPMC.com is not a tool to be used in the case of an emergency. If an emergency arises, you should seek appropriate emergency medical services.

For UPMC Mercy Patients: As a Catholic hospital, UPMC Mercy abides by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, as determined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. As such, UPMC Mercy neither endorses nor provides medical practices and/or procedures that contradict the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

© UPMC
Pittsburgh, PA, USA UPMC.com