As the population ages, so does the challenge of caring for elderly parents, especially those preferring to age at home. And they would prefer to do so independently and gracefully. According to a recent survey, 1 in 5 seniors want to live in homes future-proved for ageing, but the technology to make that possible has always been a challenge. Thankfully, several new technologies are available to improve the quality of life for seniors. And contrary to what many think, elderly people are willing to try new technology. So, here are some technologies that will improve the lives of elderly parents at home.
Promote a better medication schedule with automatic pill dispensers
You can invest in automatic pill dispensers and customise them to suit your ageing parent’s medication schedule. Most of them are designed to hold several days or weeks of medication, ensuring that your aged loved one does not skip or miss important medication. Also, they feature alarms that will beep or flash as a reminder to take the needed medication. So, if your elderly parent struggles with mild and temporary memory loss or cognitive issues, an automatic pill dispenser will help eliminate any confusion regarding their medication.
GPS to monitor and track dementia patients
Did you know dementia patients who age at home have healthier, happier, and longer lives? That’s according to some experts. But the only problem is monitoring their movement to ensure they’re always safe at home. But that’s where a GPS comes in. If your elderly patient has dementia, you might want to look into GPS systems that will allow you to track their whereabouts remotely. GPS tracking systems like the Theora Connect Wearable and the GPS SmartSole can inform you or notify local authorities about where your parent is should they wander from home. A tech solution like Amazon’s Care Hub can also send you snapshots of your loved one’s activities throughout the day.
Create fun adventures with virtual reality
The fact an elderly loved one is stuck at home does not mean they cannot enjoy a fun adventure ‘outside’ their home. Virtual reality has evolved and progressed so rapidly that it’s beginning to close up on reality. And you can find the right virtual reality technology to put a smile on your elderly parent’s face. Of course, this will be even more effective if they have someone around to help them use such technology, but it’s worth looking into.
Eliminate loneliness with robot pets
Comfort pets play a crucial role in the lives of older adults. They offer emotional support and provide a sense of companionship to help ward off loneliness. However, they also come with a massive responsibility (feeding, care, shelter, etc.) that an aged person may not be able to handle daily. So if your elderly parent lives alone and is too far from family, you should consider buying them robot pets. These pets come with proactive cognitive artificial intelligence that can initiate conversations with older people, play games with them, engage in or encourage healthy behaviours, help them stay in touch with loved ones, etc. Some even have features like medication reminders and voice command capabilities.
Stay closer to a healthcare provider with telemedicine
With telemedicine, your elderly parent can receive the medical care they need right from the comfort of their home. This will help avoid long queues at a medical facility just to get a basic health screening done. The numerous options include video consultations and phone calls that will connect your elderly parent directly with a medical professional. Telemedicine can be especially helpful if your loved one has mobility issues, chronic conditions, or lives in a rural area. And thanks to various apps and online platforms, healthcare professionals can deliver different services remotely, from simple tests to health monitoring. For example, thanks to telemedicine, your elderly parent can take part in a simple online hearing test at home to find out how well they can hear without leaving the comfort of their home.
Ensure a better connection with a GrandPad tablet
GrandPad is a tablet designed solely for older adults to help them stay connected. It features a simplified set of 11 apps designed with large icons. These icons are clearly labelled to make for better reading and recognition. The application options cover video calls, voice calls, weather information, news, games, emails, photos, and searches. But you’ll have to pre-upload the necessary contacts and photos if your elderly loved one isn’t tech-savvy. Also, only people saved and approved on the contact list can send messages. The pad has been designed to make for very easy use without all the unnecessary complications of a regular tablet. Plus, your elderly parent will have 24/7 access to a dedicated live support person on call.
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