Singapore’s third largest operator M1 introduced an integrated smart activity monitoring service to support senior citizens living alone.

Singapore’s population is ageing, with the proportion of seniors aged 65 and above living alone rising from 7.5 per cent of the total in 2000 to 11.9 per cent in 2014.

To broaden the reach of activity monitoring for seniors, M1 is partnering with service providers to launch the monitoring service that gives caregivers a one-stop platform, which includes equipment installation, connectivity, customer support and pricing through a subscription model.

Authorised users will be able to access activity information through a desktop or mobile internet browser. The caregiver can set customisable alerts. Data analytics tools built into the monitoring service will also help caregivers identify trends and patterns in the data collected, so they can make better sense of this information, M1 said.

The service is priced at SGD14.66 ($10.45) per month, inclusive of one motion sensor, installation fees and access to a portal where the caregiver can access both real-time and historical activity information. Additional motion sensors are available at SGD103.80 per sensor, and a one-time sign-up and installation fee of SGD214 applies.

In addition to activity sensors, door sensors can also be installed to alert the caregiver if a senior exits the home. Progressively, the solution will support other sensors including smoke, gas, temperature and wearable “fall” sensors.

M1 chief marketing officer P. Subramaniam said M1 will continue to work with more industry partners to enhance the service and with the aim of “detecting early warning signs of illness or cognitive degeneration, such as changes in blood pressure, oxygen levels, blood sugar, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, mobility and fitness, and whether the seniors are getting enough sleep or exercise”.

The service is open to M1 fibre customers.