GE Healthcare has accepted a 20 percent stake in Living Independently, developer of a monitoring system for seniors that aims to prevent and immediately respond to emergencies and health problems. Based on the deal, which was struck in mid-September, GE will distribute and help market the New York-based company's QuietCare product. Living Independently also hopes to use some of the extra funding to come out with new products designed to diagnose conditions and to check in on elderly individuals remotely.
With the QuietCare system, users do not need to wear a device on their person, as with many other brands like Life Alert. Rather, several sensors are placed strategically around the home to monitor and record important health-indicative activities (sleeping, eating, etc.) If anything is out of the usual, the system alerts the user. It is currently being marketed in the U.S. and the U.K., according to VentureWire. GE will take the brand international after an initial domestic relaunch.