Digital Journal reports N2Care of Salem, Virginia, has developed a modular medical facility to allow seniors to age in place in their own backyard.  The MedCottage is equipped with the latest medical technology, sensors and communications equipment via Internet and smart phone applications.  The equipment monitors vital signs, filters the air and has a camera at ankle level to give the patient privacy, but also sound an alert if they fall.  Seen as an alternative to expensive nursing homes, the 299-square-foot modular home has a bedroom with a hospital bed, a bathroom large enough for maneuvering a wheelchair, and a full kitchen including washer and dryer.  Designed by students at Virginia Tech’s College of Architecture and Urban Studies, the home’s first distributor is VAS Aging Solutions of Salem.  “We were immediately struck by how the MedCottage can improve the lives of families seeking a better way to care for their loved ones,” said Vickie Robinson, president of VAS.  The unit could also be used by those recovering from an illness or injury to remain near home.