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Learn how your aging parents can use new technology to help make it easier to do big and small tasks.
Why Should Aging Parents and Their Caregivers Invest in Technology?
Better health care, improved medical practices, smarter health habits, and immunization programs are some of the reasons people are living longer now.
The Population Reference Bureau (PRB) estimates that the number of people in the U.S. aged 65 and older will almost double in size, from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million in 2060.
Not only can technology lighten our caregiving responsibilities, but it can also help preserve adults’ independence as they grow older. Here are some ways technology can improve the lives of your aging parents:
Safety
Ensuring the safety of an aging parent goes beyond making sure the doors and windows are locked at night.
Aging parents — especially those with impaired cognitive abilities — can wander off and get lost .
An aging in place checklist can help ensure that you’ve made the home safe for your mom or dad, but accidents can still happen.
Fortunately, there are devices, systems, and gadgets to keep your parents safe — even if you’re not there.
Technology can be used to monitor and assist loved ones or to alert emergency staff in the event of an accident. We’ll discuss these in more detail, soon.
Cognitive stimulation
Research has shown that cognitive stimulation improves brain function in healthy adults, as well as those who have cognitive impairments or dementia.
By introducing your aging parents to new technology, you’ll keep their faculties sharp.
Though aging adults may initially be resistant to new technologies, teaching your parents to use them will have long-term benefits — including giving them a sense of purpose and independence.
Health monitoring
Some advanced medical alert devices can detect falls, and measure blood pressure or blood glucose levels. These devices send alerts to family caregivers and medical professionals in the event of an emergency.
There are also in-home monitoring devices — cameras and sensors — that can help caregivers keep their fingers on the pulse.
While they’re nice to have, advanced health monitoring features may not be required by all aging adults.
Socializing
Many aging adults may not be able to see their friends and family members as often as they used to in their younger years.
They may not have the strength or inclination to attend or host family dinners, and their new living arrangements may not permit frequent socializing.
Video technology and mobile apps have made it easier for aging parents to keep in touch with their family members, friends, and the broader community.
What Are the Top New Tools to Help Aging Parents?
Some of the top new tools and tech you can use when caring for an aging parent are outlined below:
Medical alert devices
Medical alert devices can be used by aging adults who are prone to injuries or falls, or who require a direct line to emergency services because they live on their own. They are also known as personal emergency response systems (PERS). If a medical or other emergency occurs, your parent can use the device to get help. These devices can be worn or installed in the home to ensure that help is just a click away.
Medical alert devices are great for aging parents who live on their own and wish to remain independent for as long as possible. Adults who are not aging in place can also make use of these devices.
For example, those in senior living facilities may wear these devices so that the staff can track their activity around the grouns or keep in touch with them when they’re on a day out.
LogicMark offers a variety of medical alert systems to help your aging parents live independently — whether you need an in-home device or a portable device that will help your parents travel safely.
The Guardian Alert 911 Plus is our bestselling product for good reason. It uses 4G LTE and two-way communication to connect you to your loved ones in a time of need. It’s also water-resistant, making it great for use in the bathroom.
Adult children who live across the country or don’t get to visit often may find peace of mind if they install cameras and motion sensors in their parents’ home to help them from a distance.
You can place cameras and sensors in key areas — such as the kitchen, living room, or along the staircase — to provide important safety information to caregivers.
For example, if the motion sensor in the kitchen doesn’t detect movement by late morning and your mom usually makes her breakfast at 9:00, you’ll want to call her or pop in to ensure she’s okay.
The camera footage is typically stored in the cloud and can be accessed via an app on a computer or phone, making it easier to manage the entire system.
Smart home devices
These devices provide security and can assist with basic tasks around the house. They’re wonderful for adults who want to age in place but value their privacy. In other words, they don’t want a caregiver, home health aide, or family member living in their home.
While smart home devices can’t do everything,these devices are handy innovations that can help simplify the experience of aging in place.
Just remember to do your research beforehand and choose the right platform for your parents’ requirements. You might not need all the smart devices now, but choosing the right hub (e.g. Alexa, Google Assistant, or HomeKit), will ensure that any future devices you purchase are compatible with your current setup.
Smart lights
Not only do injuries and accidents happen in the dark, but a house can also be a daunting place at night — especially for an older person who lives alone. A well-lit home is a much safer place for an aging parent.
Smart lights can be programmed to turn on and off automatically, respond to movement, or even react to ambient light — in other words, they turn off during the day and on at night.
These lights can also be controlled with a smartphone or voice prompts, so your folks will never need to walk from room to room to manually light the house.
Smart locks and sensors
At some point or other, everyone forgets to lock the door. But this can be dangerous — even fatal — if your aging parent is forgetful or prone to wandering off.
An open door can invite criminals into a home where a vulnerable parent lives.
To avoid this, install smart locks and window sensors. These can be placed on doors and windows and they send an alert when a door or window is left open.
These devices can typically be locked remotely by using an app, but there may be an auto-lock feature to ensure your loved ones stay safe at all times.
Doorbell cameras
We live in the age of online shopping, and you don’t need to be an aging parent to appreciate a good doorbell camera.
These sleek devices connect to apps that can be installed on smartphones, allowing you to see video footage of the person at your door, answer in real time, and program greetings for when you’re away.
Some doorbell cameras also come equipped with motion sensors, allowing you to alert security when unwanted guests are lingering at the door.
Smart pet feeders
Robotic pets are useful tools that can improve the life of an aging adult — especially one living with cognitive issues. But there’s no substitute for the real thing.
Having a pet is a great way for your parents to maintain a measure of responsibility and enjoy companionship. It can also give them a sense of purpose.
Smart pet feeders can help your parents care for their animals properly. These devices are linked to your smartphone and allow you to remotely dispense food into your pet’s bowl. It can also be set on a timer so your mom’s cat never misses a meal.
What Can I Do If My Parents Refuse Help?
A new tool will only be able to help if your aging parent is willing to use it. Even younger people are sometimes intimidated by new technology, so imagine what it feels like to someone of advanced age.
New gadgets and systems should be gradually introduced, and aging parents should be clearly informed of the benefits of these additions.
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