Monitoring System for Elderly People Using Passive RFID Tags

Abstract

This paper presents a monitoring system that uses passive RFID tags for detection of unexpected loitering and falling of elderly people in nursing homes. This system, which is superior to a video camera in terms of privacy, incorporates tag readers set on ceilings beside a bed and under doors. The system combines the following two methods. The first method targets caregivers and non-senile elderly persons. Each wears an RFID shoulder tag. However, some senile elderly people who are not wearing RFID tags might wander. Therefore, the second method described for this system is based on a phenomenon by which electric waves are attenuated by water. Several RFID tags are put on the floor. Then the presence of a person at that spot is inferred from the number of RFID tags that are responding. Experimental results obtained for a person beside a bed and passing through a door confirm the effectiveness of this system.