The tech bracelet protecting Rome's elderly from heatwaves: Here's how it works

Amid scorching temperatures in Rome, a team of social workers is keeping tabs on elderly residents through electronic bracelets that actively monitor heart rate, sleep patterns and allow users to contact social workers in case of an emergency.

The device is part of a €400 million support scheme for the elderly, introduced last year by Rome's municipality using the European Union's post-COVID recovery funding. The programme currently covers around 700 people.

Local authorities have hailed the bracelet as a key preventive healthcare tool, particularly as temperatures in Rome have climbed into the upper 30s Celsius.

The technology behind the bracelet

The black plastic bracelet is equipped with an inbuilt motion sensor that can detect accidental falls while continuously tracking the wearer's movements. It also provides reassurance to elderly users that help is available whenever they need it.

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These bracelets must also have inertial measurement units (IMUs)—including accelerometers and gyroscopes—along with optical heart rate sensors that continuously monitor and assess the wearer's health data. The sensors can also measure blood flow, providing comprehensive health and safety insights.

The support system extends beyond the wearable device. Specialised coordination desks have been set up at local pharmacies, where staff monitor data transmitted by the bracelets through a computer dashboard.

However, the programme has also raised privacy concerns. Of the 70 people who initially enrolled through one pharmacy, only 45 have continued using the device.

The monitoring team operates daily from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. During weekends and overnight hours, alerts generated by the bracelet are automatically sent to relatives through a mobile application.

On most days, the conversations are simple and informal. As part of the municipal support programme, social workers make daily phone calls to check whether residents have taken their medication, ask how they are coping with the heat, and offer companionship to those who may be feeling lonely or isolated.