What is the best home monitoring device to get?

I am a bit of a computer nerd and interested in how broadband technology can be applied to elder home care. Yesterday I attended an "Aging in Place" seminar where I met a young woman representing a company that sets up a motion monitoring system. You can probably read a CNN story about it by searching Google "Sensors monitor older people at home." I'm also looking into a wireless video camera with two-way audio that is being marketed as a pet camera but would work as well with home bound elderly. The camera connects directly with a home broadband network and could be accessed by password over the network by doctor and/or family and on any PC on the home network. I also believe that family should use internet SKYPE video calls to keep in touch with isolated family members. I talk for hours with my brother (free) telling the same old stories and jokes. Amazing how it picks up the spirits.