To age in place successfully, a senior has to be able to engage with others, and remain healthy and safe in their independent living situation. The right technology can support their ability to do that. Discuss whether certain apps or devices might help your loved one stay safe and healthy, and consult with their primary care practitioner to identify areas where technology may help now and in the future.
Social Isolation
Technology offers seniors opportunities to connect with friends and family, which is necessary as many seniors suffer from isolation and depression. Look for easy-to-use computers and touch-screen capabilities, like the GrandPad or iPad.
Don’t forget about video conferencing technology like Zoom and FaceTime (on Apple devices). Face-to-face conversations can be easier for seniors, and allow for inclusion even when there are social distancing restrictions.
A simple cell phone can also increase your loved one’s opportunity to connect. Look for phones with large buttons and clear screens. The Lively Flip phone was designed for seniors, with special one-click button to connect with a member of the Lively Response Team, who can summon help or connect the caller with a board-certified doctor or nurse.
If your loved one has a hearing loss, a captioning app like Clear Captions can allow them to read phone conversations in near real-time.
Home Safety
As bodies and minds age, the risk of falling or wandering off increases. Thankfully, technologies like these can help seniors stay safe while living at home.
Home monitoring systems, like Lively Home or Alarm.com Wellness, use strategically-placed sensors to allow you to monitor your loved one’s daily activities and will notify you when there is a disruption. The Care Hub by Amazon partners with their Alexa voice-activated technology and will let you check in on your loved ones remotely, evening notifying you when they ask for help.
Personal emergency response systems (or PERS) are typically worn on a necklace or belt clip, and will send an alarm if it perceives a fall, wandering, or if the individual wearing it presses the button. Many will send help immediately. An example of this type of product is MobileHelp.
If wandering is a concern, GPS tracking devices, like GPS SmartSole or Theora Connect Wearable, can alert the authorities and help locate a missing person quickly.
Health and Wellness
Medication management and mobility are two major factors in aging at home. Telehealth is becoming more common, making it easier to manage illnesses and connect with health care professionals while at home. There are many technologies that can also help seniors to stay healthy while aging in place.
Medication management systems can issue reminders, dispense medications, monitor medication usage, and notify caregivers when doses are missed. Products like TabSafe, epill, and MedMinder are some of the products available to consumers for purchase or for rent.
For exercise, there are many products on the market that can support movement for seniors. While products like the FitBit and AppleWatch are popular, senior living communities across the country have the Wii Fit Plus tournaments and competitions.
