Date: Oct 05, 2006 Source: NIH Success Stories (
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Technology Developed:
Decision Systems developed a map-based computer system, called "TeleMinder", which automatically telephones people and gives them emergency instructions, provides important information, or asks questions.
The systems are designed to provide health care information, management information and crime notification and prevention.
Uses of Technology/Products/Service:
In times of disaster, older people suffer more death, injury, financial loss, and stress than younger people. This pattern of neglect can be reduced by improving communications between community elders and agencies providing emergency and disaster relief services.
Teleminder can assist in providing a) notifications and instructions to residents in times of imminent danger, b) identification and evacuation of older residents prior to disasters, c) rapid damage and injury assessment after disasters, and d) effective communication and outreach for relief agencies during disaster recovery.
During non-emergency periods, it can provide community wide services such as daily check-up calls for elders and a telephone bulletin board of community events and services.
Vertical markets for TeleMinder include a) police and fire departments, b) local, county, state, and federal offices of emergency services, c) state and federal disaster relief agencies, and d) business using or producing toxic materials.
Benefit to Company:
Dr. Von O. Leirer, president of the company, estimates that the company has paid over $300,000 in federal income tax from the sale of these systems as a result of the NIH/National Institute of Aging's initial investment of $50,000.
How Product Was Commercialized:
Several newspaper articles (National Fire and Rescue, 1997; The Sun Bulletin, March 1998; Los Angeles Times, June 1999), testimonial letters (Anna G. Eshoo, Member of Congress) and brochures for the TeleMinder systems have been resulted from the development
