A new technology product coming to market is taking aim at reducing hospital readmissions by improving the connection between patient and caregiver—via television. The technology, currently being developed in England is targeting a specific need among the aging population: simple, direct communication without the need for tech savvy. Speakset, the burgeoning tech being piloted in the UK in homes and health care communities, takes a TV and turns it into a video communication device. With the installation of a small box, a remote control can make a call with a video component instantly. “It’s specifically designed for older people to combat isolation and also to reduce health care delivery costs,” says Aditya Kasliwal, Speakset co-founder. “We were shocked by the statistics and wanted to do something about it.” The technology simply turns a standard TV into a video chat portal with the installation of a small device. The video chat function can then be navigated via remote control. It also has an online interface where users can log in via computer or tablet.

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