francescoridolfi.com
Senior Tech
Many seniors and caregivers are embracing new technological advances to improve their lives
Despite the many clichés about seniors and their reluctance to use new technology, the fact is that technological advances are not only helping seniors live longer and more comfortably at home, but these innovations are also becoming more targeted to and embraced by older users.
From Alexa to Google Home to programs that can alert family members to a loved one’s inactivity, technology developed to make our lives easier is also being modified to help older Americans age in place.
While technology can sometimes be intimidating and frustrating to a generation who didn’t grow up with or use smart technology in their workplaces, showing seniors the advantages of learning to operate smartphones, tablets, computers and home technology devices can help them stay in their houses longer and provide them with more self-sufficiency.
Provides physical and mental stimulation
One of the most common issues seniors face as they age in place is isolation. A senior’s family works all day or lives in another city and can’t come to visit often. If a senior has a caregiver, that person may only come in periodically to help with weekly chores. It’s a common problem.
But, with a little ingenuity and smart devices, family members can ensure their loved ones are able to stay active and interact with friends and family virtually.
Smart TVs can be hooked up to the internet so that seniors can easily watch exercise videos on YouTube. The senior and their family can set up favorites or follow channels that have videos geared toward their loved one’s physical abilities.
In addition to helping seniors stay physically fit, technology also allows virtual visitations for those times when family and friends can’t visit in person. Even if an older loved one lives miles away, video chats can be used to help Mom or Dad stay in touch with their children or grandchildren often.
While virtual communication helps seniors maintain mental agility, it is also extremely helpful to an older person’s mental health. Maintaining relationships with friends and loved ones improves a senior’s outlook on life, which improves their physical health.
Provides safety, security and comfort features
For seniors who want to stay at home, providing for their safety while they don’t have a caregiver onsite is a concern for many of their family members.
Medical alert systems have been around for some time, but the newer applications have more robust features like fall detection, activity monitoring and caregiver integrations. These personal monitoring systems can alert family when Mom hasn’t moved around her home in some time or let them know that Dad forgot to turn off the stove.
Smart home features can also be programmed for voice activation so that a loved one can turn on one or more lights at night should they need to get up to go to the restroom or kitchen, for example. Of course, there are also a variety of security features that can be monitored by simply logging onto an app on a phone or tablet. There is no longer a need for a senior to have to remember to turn on security locks and alarms every night because these can be programmed to automatically arm at a certain time.
Seniors can also use modern apps to order food, have groceries delivered and request ride-sharing services so they no longer have to rely on someone else.
Caregiving in the 21st century
Too often, a senior doesn’t have any smart technology in the home. They don’t have a smart TV, tablet or smartphone. Some don’t even have access to a computer.
Tablets can be used to both introduce seniors to new technologies and provide a caregiver with access to necessary instructions, such as a list of needed chores, medication schedules and doctors’ appointments. Caregivers can also note their arrival and departure times, as well as a list of services they provided for the senior that family members can access and check.
Caregivers should take the time to show their older loved ones how to use some of these devices, but they should keep in mind that their loved one may have never used any of these devices in the past. Caregivers and family members need to remember their loved one didn’t start with an early iPhone or iPad and gradually learn new applications as new models progressed like most younger generations have done.
Technology training is probably one of the weakest points in modern caregiving. There are not standard technology education courses in every community, which leaves tech training to family, friends and caregivers. Still, learning this technology can open doors and provide significant benefits to both the senior and their loved ones and should become a priority in a senior’s total care.
While technology can make it easier for seniors to stay in their homes longer, it shouldn’t be seen as a substitution for hands-on care. Caregivers and loved ones still need to take an active part in their senior’s life. Technology should be seen as a way to enhance the physical care necessary for loved ones to age in place, and its use should be encouraged as a way to keep seniors healthy, active and safe.
Caring Senior Service CEO Jeff Salter began his career in senior care in 1991 working for a home health care agency in Odessa, Texas. Four months later, he started his own senior care service to provide seniors with the non-medical care they need to stay at home. In 2003, Caring Senior Service began offering franchises and today has nearly 50 locations across the United States. For more information on Caring Senior Service, please visit their website at https://www.caringseniorservice.com/.