Eventually, it becomes clear that our parents need care during their senior years, and this can be a challenging time. The chances are that, whether you’re caring for an aging parent at home or long-distance, you will need support. Luckily, advancements in technology mean that support is always at your fingertips, but you need to know where to look. With this in mind, we’ve gathered together the best five tech tools to help care for aging parents.
Home Automation
Old age typically means mobility issues, which can make it difficult to navigate the home. Technology has a solution for this, as home automation has become widely accessible and affordable. For example, smart thermostats have the power to learn schedules, meaning the home will be warm when it needs to be.
If you’re caring for aging parents that live far away, smart systems can give you peace of mind that they’re safe and secure. Surveillance cameras, door locks, and security alarms can all be hooked up to a smartphone or tablet, which will let you keep an eye on them at all times. These smart systems also use facial recognition, meaning only authorized people will have access to their homes.
GPS Devices
Memory conditions are a common problem during old age, and it can lead to seniors wandering off at all hours of the day. Fortunately, thanks to advancements in wearable tech, GPS devices can tell you exactly where they are at all times. Even if your aging parents live at an assisted living facility with access to 24/7 support, equipping them with a GPS device will put your mind at ease.
Motion Sensor Technology
Location isn’t the only thing that wearable tech can accomplish because it provides a non-intrusive means of detecting falls. By wearing a wristband or clothes attachment, healthcare providers can be alerted when a senior falls, meaning they won’t be left on the floor for too long.
Virtual Health and Medicine Tracking
Arguably the most challenging task when caring for aging parents is making sure that they’re getting the medical support they need. However, thanks to advancements in telemedicine, appointments for all types of conditions can be attended from the comfort of their living room. Only after a virtual assessment will they need a physical appointment – or not.
The rise of video communication isn’t the only tool at your disposal, as countless health-tracking apps will let you log information that’s sent directly to healthcare providers. If anything looks out of the ordinary, an appointment can be made.
Medication Reminders
Your aging parents may have a plethora of medication to take, but many conditions can make it easy to lose track. Fortunately, simple medical reminders can tell patients and caregivers when it’s time for the next dose. You can get a dedicated device for this, but a smartphone app will be just as effective and will cost much less.
Caregiving isn’t an easy task, but technology helps to alleviate some of the associated stress. Whether your aging parents are living with you, in a care facility, or their own home, technology has the answer to providing continued care.
