Mobile devices. Fitness bands. Cloud-based services. We all benefit from these great advances in technology, but seniors needing home health care may benefit the most.
Here are some of the great inventions that are revolutionizing home health care.
Who doesn’t want to stay in their own home as long as possible before moving to an assisted living home? The area of senior monitoring devices is a big business—in fact, in 2016, sales worldwide were nearly $40 billion. There is significant interest from the elderly and their caregivers to provide safety and a better sense of security. Monitors can be placed on doors and windows. There are even sensors that a person can wear to alert caretakers if they fall down. Patients that need more monitoring of daily movements are using this type of tech too. Behaviors like running the water too long, skipping a meal, or leaving the house are all alerts that come via a smart phone app to alert nearby caregivers. Some monitors are embedded with GPS technology to locate someone in an emergency situation.
Mobile phones can be connected to devices that measure blood pressure or glucose for diabetic patients. Some pacemakers these days allow you to download the data right to your phone and send it to the doctor. The devices are a great way to engage seniors in their own health, learn new technology, and save a trip to the doctor all at once.
Safe watches are great example. These devices look like an Apple watch or other smart watch, but seniors can use it to open the garage door, unlock doors, and other activities. There is a step counter to monitor exercise, and even a medication reminder. Alerts sound if there is inactivity or a sudden fall, and the device is waterproof to boot.
Wearable technology like fitness bands is popular and worn by people of all ages, but they are ideal for home health care. These devices can track steps taken, sleep, diet, heart rate and other vital signs. There are even devices for the hearing impaired, that translate the sounds from a ringing phone, doorbell or fire alarm into visual or tactile signals the senior can see and feel.
Robotic devices are also making senior lives a lot easier. There are robots to vacuum, mop, and even do outdoor maintenance.
These devices are great for seniors to and caregivers to feel better about their physical and emotional safety. Technology has helped many seniors and caregivers stay connected, have peace of mind, and perhaps stay in their own homes just a little bit longer.
