According to the Census Bureau, more than 13 percent of the US population is seniors, and that number grows with every passing year. This makes them a significant part of society, and they need our attention more than others, especially if they get diagnosed with a condition that makes them dependent.
These conditions include:
- Memory loss
- Loss of vision or hearing
- Lack of mobility
- Loneliness
However, baby boomers are aging at the best time in history. They have the technology to support their needs. This has drastically improved senior care at assisted living facilities as many tasks have become convenient that took a lot of effort in the past.
Here are a few ways that technology has improved senior care.
GPS Service
Even though GPS is not a new technology, it proves to be the most useful one in almost all fields. It is playing a significant role in advancing senior care as well.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s are not uncommon diseases in seniors, and GPS helps the caregiver family and nurses look after such seniors.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 60 percent of seniors with Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementia are likely to wander. So, if a senior wanders off and forgets the way back, the GPS will allow the caregiver to locate them conveniently. This will save them from suffering any serious or even fatal injury.
Cameras
Elder abuse is more common than people usually realize. Cameras have made assisted living a safe place for elders. In addition, it allows the family of the senior to keep a check on how their family member is being treated at the facility.
Cameras also help the assisted living facility management maintain the quality of life for seniors by ensuring they are being treated well. Some health care professionals also use it to keep an eye on seniors with mental health issues to notice their behavioral changes.
However, if the seniors don’t like to be monitored through the camera, you can install sensors instead. These are wireless pieces that can detect the activity of a person and recognize any change in it. So, it will send a notification to you on phone or email if something seems wrong.
Mobile Applications
The usefulness of technology has taken a hike after the advancement of mobile applications. In the case of senior care, applications have helped both the seniors and the caregivers. With the most basic applications, the health, medication, and location can be detected.
Moreover, social apps can help in keeping seniors socially active. They can stay in touch with their family even without in-person visits. Besides this, many games have also been designed that can keep seniors physically fit.
Conclusion
Technology has the potential to do so much for seniors that it can solve half their problems. This can alleviate the stress that seniors feel while caring for themselves. In addition, using technology, the caregivers can collect data that can further take care of the seniors.
