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07 Jun 2017

3 Ways Technology Is Revolutionizing Elderly Home Care

   

Topics: Home Care

Elderly home care has changed a lot in recent years. Today’s seniors and their caregivers have a lot of advantages thanks to new types of technology. Here are just three of the ways that technology is revolutionizing elderly home care.

1. Letting Seniors Maintain Independence

Many seniors want to remain independent for as long as possible, and they don’t want to ask their children for help until it’s absolutely necessary. Modern technology has made this much more attainable. There are many types of technologies that can delay the need for caregivers. Technology can also aid in certain tasks, allowing seniors to maintain independence through the support they receive.

For seniors that have mobility issues, environmental control systems can make a lot of daily tasks easier. With these systems, seniors can control various things around their homes with a specially designed remote control. For example, seniors can turn on lamps, adjust their blinds, turn on their television, or adjust the setting on their thermostats without getting out of their chair.

Technology can also help with chores, like cleaning the floors. Pushing a heavy vacuum around the house or gripping a broom can be challenging, but vacuum cleaning robots eliminate this issue. Newer models can clean all types of floors, not just carpets, and may even have mopping capabilities. Some vacuum cleaning robots can even be controlled with remote controls, so seniors don’t need to bend over to turn them on or off.

2. Reducing Caregiver Stress

Caregivers are very busy, and often need to balance the demands of their jobs, children, and relationships with the demands of elderly home care. It’s no wonder that caregiver stress is common. Caregiver stress can lead to exhaustion, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and other problems. Some new types of technology are targeted towards caregivers and aim to reduce their stress.

One source of stress is the need to keep track of your loved one’s appointments, health insurance, health records, and other data. This can be overwhelming, which is why apps are now available for caregivers to store their loved one’s data. When you book a new appointment for your loved one, or receive test results from their doctor, you can simply add the information to your app and continue with your day.

Another source of stress is the feeling that your loved one is too dependent on you. When you’re cleaning your loved one’s home or cooking dinner, it can be frustrating to need to stop to adjust the lights in their room or close their curtains. With technology, seniors can handle these minor tasks on their own, taking the pressure off their caregivers.

3. Giving Family Members Peace of Mind

Do you worry about your loved one when you’re not able to be with them? When you’re at work, or after you’ve returned to your own house for the evening, you may wonder how your loved one is coping. The fear that a loved one has fallen and been injured, or wandered outside and gotten lost, can cause a lot of anxiety for caregivers. With technology, family members can gain some peace of mind.

GPS trackers are one type of technology that can help ease the fear of seniors getting lost outside. These trackers can be stored in seniors’ pockets, and loved ones can monitor their location online or through a smartphone app. These trackers can send you an alert when your loved one wanders too far from their home, and trackers can also help you locate your lost loved one.

Home sensors are another great way for family members to gain peace of mind. Sensors can be installed on doors and windows, so if a senior goes outside in the middle of the night, family members will get an alert. Wearable sensors can send out an alert if a senior falls and isn’t able to get up. Sensors can even be installed on appliances, like stoves, to help prevent accidents.

Tennille Kerrigan

Tenille is the president of Senior Helpers Canada, the premier franchise that delivers on what families and their loved ones need most. She has bachelor’s degree in business administration from York University, and has over 10 years of experience as a business owner and director. With Senior Helpers, our franchisees provide the professionalism and expert care that families and their aging loved ones require.

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