Studies show that 95 percent of people who are over the age of 75 would like to remain in their homes. Thanks to rapidly advancing technology, it is now easier for seniors to remain independent and safe in their homes as they age. Below are some of the top technologies to help seniors live independently:
Medication Dispensing Systems
Most seniors have to take at least one prescription medication. In fact, it is estimated that the average senior is taking 12 medications per day by the time that they turn 70. Although prescription medications allow people to live independently by helping them keep their chronic conditions under control, it can be difficult to remember to take these medications. Four out of 10 nursing home patients are admitted simply because they cannot manage their medications independently.
That is why medication dispensing systems can come in very handy. Medication dispensing systems are more than a box with labels for the days of the week or the time of the day, it gives its users reminders when it is time to take a medication. A medication dispensing system can also give an alert when a person has not taken his or her medication at the prescribed time.
Personal Emergency Response System
Many people fear that their loved ones will not be able to get the help that they need in an emergency situation, such as a fall. The good news is that there are home devices that will connect a person to a call center 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Assisting Hands® offers a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) to ensure the safety of our clients even when our caregivers are not in the home. When your or your loved one has a PERS , you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that assistance can be easily obtained at any time of day or night, if ever it should be needed.
Monitoring Services
Monitoring Services make it easier for people to keep track of what their loved one is doing at home. GrandCare System is an example of one of a monitoring system that is specifically designed for seniors. This system is made up of sensors, which are placed in the rooms that the person frequently uses. Caregivers can log into the Grandcare System website and view information about medication usage, movement and more.
The E-Neighbor System by Healthsense is another example of such a monitoring service. It is designed to detect unusual activity inside of the home. If the system detects something unusual, such as a refrigerator that has not been opened for a day or a shower that is still running, the senior or the caregiver will receive a phone call.
Big Button Cell Phones
A survey done by the Pew Research Center showed that many elderly people would not use a cell phone even in an emergency situation. Many seniors find that cell phones are difficult to use; they may also have trouble seeing and reading the screens. Fortunately, there are big button cell phones available, such as the Jitterbug. Big button cell phones come with easy-to-read numbers, a big screen and extra loud speakers. It will be easy for your loved senior to get in touch with the appropriate people if they have a big button cell phone.
TV-Based Caregiving Platform
There are tv-based caregiving platforms such as Independa that allows caregivers and family members to use a web portal or mobile app to video chat, send Facebook messages and photos, set up appointments and medication reminders and play games with their older loved one. In addition, elderly users are able to access all content without difficult logins, passwords or the Internet; they receive messages and alerts directly through their TVs, using a simplified remote control.
Health Tracking Gadgets
Being active is one of the best things people can do to stay healthy during their golden years. There are many health tracking gadgets that make it easy for people to maintain an active lifestyle. Devices like Nike+, Jawbone and Fitbit allow people to keep track of their movement throughout the day. In addition, tracking devices can help keep a log of calories consumed and give information about hours slept. These devices can provide users with a guide as to how healthy a lifestyle they lead, where they can improve and also allows people to set personal goals for themselves.
Temperature-Activated Flow Reducers
People who are over the age of 65 are at an increased risk for suffering a scalding burn. An elderly person is very likely to suffer a second or third-degree burn if the water temperature is over 140 degrees Fahrenheit. That is why temperature-activated flow reducers are a worthwhile investment. They will shut off the water if it gets too hot.
Feel free to give Assisting Hands Home Care a call at (561) 440-6054 to better understand what technologies may assist your loved one for remaining at home safely and independently.
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