dr. nancy sneiderman reports on better living through technology. >> reporter: 87-year-old dorothy rutherford won't let living alone keep her from staying busy. >> i like to have guests over at the house and i like to go to happy hour. >> reporter: a former waitress and security guard, she is one of 11 million americans over the age of 65 living on their own. >> that's my martini money. >> reporter: like most of them, dorothy's biggest priority is maintaining her independence. >> i don't want my -- my children to have to take care of me. these are my three children. >> reporter: that's why she's participating in a study with oregon health & science university using technology to detect changes in health patterns before there's a problem. her home is outfitted with wireless sensors measuring her steps. her visits to the refrigerator and when she takes her medicine are also measured. interactive computer games monitor her memory and response time. >> you have a video call from kaylie cooper. >> hi grandma. are you home? >> reporter: she is even testing a robot allowing a care giver to check in