Technology For Houston Caregivers: 3 Great Tech Suggestions
According to extensive research, seniors who maintain or increase their amount of social interaction with relatives and friends experience positive health benefits. Based on a study of 100 centenarians (100@100) conducted by UnitedHealthcare, it’s accurate to say that maintaining social engagement is just as important a part of healthy aging as cultivating healthy habits and genetics.
Even in situations where meeting with loved ones in person is impossible, there are now technological solutions. A savvy Houston caregiver has more options than ever before for helping seniors stay in touch.
Making The Most Of Social Media And Video Chat
Seniors who are social media literate have a huge advantage in maintaining their social connections. More and more seniors are delighting in the range of opportunities to keep in touch and share their thoughts offered by platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
These opportunities are best leveraged when they’re combined with purpose-built hardware. The Nucleus smart intercom system, for example, is a senior-friendly tool that can link older adults with any family member with the right device or app. Nucleus allows seniors to talk with grandkids or even call for emergency assistance with the touch of a single button.
Encouraging Mental (And Physical!) Activity With Games
Video games aren’t just child’s play anymore. Ongoing research demonstrates over and over that video games offer real health benefits to players of all ages, and they can be particularly useful for seniors.
Moderate video game play can actually help improve vision. Based on a study conducted at Ontario’s McMaster University, seniors who were diagnosed with cataracts reported greater visual acuity after playing first-person shooter games. The effect is attributable to the focused attention and rapid eye movement involved in playing games like Call of Duty or Halo; this is essentially a form of exercise for the eyes.
Making video games part of daily or weekly care routines is a smart choice for caregivers to make.
Easier Medication Tracking Via Apps
Most good caregivers are dedicated to preserving seniors’ independence wherever possible. Taking medications regularly and tracking this activity is a key part of staying independent. There are tons of useful apps available today that can make this job easier for seniors.
In point of fact, the sheer number of different apps available now can make it hard to find the best one. Fortunately, there is hard scientific data available to simplify the choice. After studying almost 300 medication tracking apps, the University of Sydney released a collection of top-rated apps that are definitely worth checking out. Top picks include Medisafe Pill Reminder & Medication Tracker (free), My Heart My Life, Alar Meds (Android only), and MedicineList+.
Have you run across any technological caregiving tips of your own? Do you have recommendations for useful hardware or software? Drop us a line and share your experiences!
For more on how to hire a Houston caregiver, call us or contact us today!
