DCMI participant Bethanie trial app detecting early signs of COVID-19 in elderly

With the cases of COVID-19 escalating, Perth-based retirement village and aged care provider Bethanie is taking the lead by participating in a six-month trial of a smartphone app aimed at detecting the virus early in older people from the safety of their own homes.

Up to 100 residents of Bethanie, whose village managers participate in the DCM Institute, will be monitored by a team of healthcare professionals to determine the effectiveness of the digital platform Openly.

The Early Digital Intervention for Covid Therapy (EDICT) program, a collaboration between the University of Western Australia, clinical biotech company Emyria, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, the Bethanie Group, and the Institute for Respiratory Health, is working to develop leading technology to detect the early signs of the coronavirus in the elderly.

The $880,000 Western Australian Government-funded pilot program will monitor a person’s general health and wellbeing through the platform. It will also record vital signs such as heart rate using a smartphone.

“We know the elderly are among the most vulnerable members of the community if infected with the virus,” Bethanie CEO Chris How (pictured above) said.

“It is important to embrace new technology which has the potential to save lives and keep people out of hospital.”