A trial programme announced by Japan Post, IBM and Apple, will see 1,000 seniors given iPads free-of-charge for six months starting from October. PHOTO: AFP
TOKYO: Millions of Japanese seniors could receive iPads under a programme to supply the elderly with specially equipped tablets that remind them when to take medicine and advise where to find community support services.
A trial programme announced by Japan Post, IBM and Apple will see 1,000 seniors given iPads free-of-charge for six months starting from October.
If successful, that distribution could be increased to 5 million by 2020, according to Apple.
Currently, Japan Post provides a $1,000 yen ($8) monthly service, dubbed “Watch Over”, whereby postal workers check in on elderly customers and report back to relatives about their well-being.
It was unclear if users would later be charged for the devices.
Apple called the service “a first-of-its kind initiative aimed at improving the quality of life for millions of Japanese senior citizens”.
“(The programme) will deliver iPads with IBM-developed apps and analytics to connect millions of seniors with services, healthcare, community and their families,” the US tech giant said in a statement.
Around a quarter of Japan’s 127-million population is aged 65 or over, a result of low birth rates over the last few decades and no significant immigration.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2015.
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