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24 Jul 2017

How Technology Is Changing Senior Home Care

   

Topics: Home Care

Senior home care has changed a lot in recent years. New technologies are being developed all the time to help both seniors and their caregivers. Here are some ways that technology is changing senior home care.

Seniors Can Remain More Independent

Seniors want to remain independent for as long as possible. They want to continue handling their daily tasks on their own, rather than relying on their children or their caregivers. Remaining independent was tougher without the advancements in technology we have today. Now, modern technology can help seniors remain more independent than was possible in the past.

For example, smart home technology can help seniors turn on lights, turn on their televisions, or adjust their thermostats using a remote control. Robot companions can help with tasks like medication reminders. Robots can even contact emergency services if a senior has a fall and needs assistance. Robot vacuum cleaners can keep the carpets and other floors clean.

When these types of technologies are used, seniors can delay getting a caregiver. If they already have a caregiver, they won’t have to rely on that person for as many tasks. Caregivers can provide the services that technology can’t, like meal preparation. Relying on a caregiver for fewer tasks helps prevent caregiver burnout.

Track Medical Advice Easily

Seniors may have a lot of doctor’s appointments, especially if they’re dealing with chronic health conditions. Remembering all the advice from multiple appointments can be challenging. People can take notes on paper, but it’s easy to lose paper. Having a caregiver attend appointments is another option, but caregivers aren’t always available.

Technology makes it easy for seniors to keep track of medical information on their own. For example, there are many apps available for phones or tablets. During doctor’s appointments, seniors can take notes about their doctor’s advice with these apps. It’s easy to share medical information with caregivers when everything is stored in a convenient app.

Caregivers Can Remotely Monitor Seniors

Family caregivers can’t be available 24/7, but they still need to know that their loved ones are safe. A wide variety of home monitoring devices are now available to help you keep an eye on your loved one. These devices can be as simple as video cameras in some areas of your loved one’s home. You can check the video to make sure your loved one hasn’t fallen and injured themselves. (Of course, you need to ask your loved one before you install cameras in the house).

There are more high-tech options, too, when it comes to senior home care. Sensors can be attached to various parts of the home such as the medicine cabinet, the fridge door, or the bathroom door. When a senior interacts with these common objects, the sensor records the activity. If a senior doesn’t touch their medication all day, the system will alert a caregiver. You can also have sensors installed on the front door or the windows so you’ll get an alert when your loved one goes outside.

Caregivers Can Track Seniors’ Locations

Not too long ago, if a person with dementia wandered off, it could be hard to find them. Families needed to search for their loved ones on their own, and may have even needed the help of the police. That was scary for families. Recent technological mean you can follow the movements of your loved ones and get them home safe if they have lost their way.

GPS trackers are now widely available. These lifesaving location devices are connected to a phone app or to a website on your computer. You just need to put the tracker in your loved one’s purse or pocket, and you’ll be able to see where they are on a map. Some GPS trackers can even be installed in the soles of shoes. Lost seniors can be found in as little as 30 minutes with the help of these high-tech gadgets. This advance in senior home care makes it easier to keep your loved ones at home.

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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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