Predict and prevent with PAW

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Losing independence in old age impacts all aspects of life. It's a challenge every older person in the country faces. It leads to isolation and loneliness (affecting over 2,000,000 people), physical inactivity and falls (£3.3bn burden on the NHS), health issues (e.g. twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's) and even being forced into a care home against your will (97% of older people want to live the rest of their lives at home).Staying independent is the fundamental challenge facing our ageing society. Improvements will impact an individual's life, their family and friends, and our care system as a whole.Our solution is a discreet watch that gives older people a safety net, anywhere in the country, by connecting them directly to a 24/7 care team at a button press. This gives people independence and confidence.The Personal Alarm Watch builds upon the well established pendant that has been a staple in helping older people stay independent for over 30 years. However, pendants require a landline and have limited range, tethering people to their homes. Our device uses mobile networks to extend this safety net, so people have the freedom to go anywhere. A watch removes the stigma of the big red button. With these existing innovations, we increase independence, reduce isolation, promote daily activity and ultimately prevent declines in health.With this project, we will develop the watch to not only offer emergency support but to predict and prevent health problems. This is now possible using advances in machine learning and the privileged position we sit in as the highest rated alarm system in the UK.