Aging parents often need additional help throughout the day, from assistance with food preparation to an extra eye to ensure they are safe. However, not every family has the capacity to keep someone home all day to watch over their older loved one, and in some cases, an aging parent would still like to live on their own where possible.
Parents getting older can be a family-wide challenge, but it’s possible to ease some of that stress by incorporating technology into the home. Thanks to consistent innovation in elder care, the sky is nearly the limit on assistive technology, from wearable devices to safety systems and telehealth visits.
Here are some of the main areas to consider when choosing technology tools to support your aging parents in northern Virginia.
Health Monitoring and Management
One of the greatest risks of living outside of assistive care as an older person is that if a medical issue arises, it typically takes longer to identify it and receive care. However, this does not need to be the case.
Older individuals and their families can take advantage of wearable devices and health monitoring apps to stay on top of biological changes, such as heart rate, respiration, and even blood sugar.
Health monitoring devices are usually very accessible; even an Apple Watch does a good job of providing baseline information that may be useful depending on your loved one’s health.
More specialized wearables such as Garmin’s Vivosmart or the CPR Guardian are targeted more toward at-risk individuals. As a bonus, integration among smart devices has become easier than ever; for instance, an Apple Watch can sync with an Apple calendar to provide medication reminders directly on the watch face.
Another issue tends to be that older folks need regular check-ins with their doctor, but it can be a struggle to leave the house. Consider how telehealth services and remote monitoring solutions can help your loved one manage chronic conditions and access medical care from home.
Safety and Security Systems
Aging individuals face many risks, and some are prone to the dangers of wandering due to cognitive decline. Smart locks can help to secure a home against someone who is confused about where they are, as an older parent should not wander freely outside the home for their safety.
Security systems and surveillance cameras can assist in this effort, not only to keep track of your loved one but also to ensure that they are not being victimized or harassed by neighbors, door-to-door salesmen, or bad-faith actors.
Do not forget personal emergency response systems (PERS), too! These bracelets or necklaces can alert authorities during an emergency or if your loved one falls so that they can receive help right away.
Communication and Social Connectivity
Technology should not be used solely to keep a family member physically safe. Remember that your loved one’s mental health is important too, and they may be lacking opportunities to socialize.
Video calling apps (e.g., Zoom), social media platforms (e.g., YouTube, Instagram, Facebook), and messaging services (e.g., Line, Messenger) help aging parents stay connected with family, friends, and caregivers.
Technology-enabled social engagement platforms and virtual community groups (anything from message boards to virtual MeetUp rooms) offer a tailored approach to seniors’ interests and hobbies so they can remain active in communities and spaces that are important to them.
However, be sure to provide some education on how the platform works and how to identify bad actors or scams that may be trying to take advantage of them in the digital world.
Home Assistance and Automation
Not all older individuals easily have free reign throughout their homes due to mobility concerns, arthritis pain, and more. Smart home devices, voice-activated assistants, and home automation systems can assist aging parents with daily tasks, household chores, and home maintenance.
Anything from smart pill dispensers and smart thermostats to automatic Roomba vacuums for cleaning helps create a comfortable and efficient living environment.
For aging individuals who still care for pets, smart feeders can make this task simpler and more reliable. Smart outlets can automate turning appliances on and off, reducing the risk of accidentally leaving the stovetop on or struggling to turn on the lights.
Learn About Options in Your Area
Getting older comes with new challenges, but it does not have to limit a person’s ability to live their life to the fullest. With technological advancements that have brought thousands of potential automated tools to the forefront, neither you nor your parents should fear getting older.
The experts at the Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia can help you explore the technology that may be useful in your home and connect you with local resources such as installers or suppliers where you can find those products.
Contact SCNOVA to learn more about the many services we offer and how we can help your loved one age in place.
December 3, 2024, we ask you to please keep the Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia in mind. As a non-profit we rely solely upon the support of community partners, grants and donations. To put your generosity into perspective, remember this, our funds go to enriching the lives of older adults in the communities we serve.