It is a new world we are living in. For seniors who grew up without smartphones, smartwatches, smart refrigerators, and all that, it can be quite overwhelming. There are not that many gadgets for seniors, and many seniors have no interest in delving into modern technology to improve their lives since they have lived most of their lives without such new-fangled tools. However, many of these devices offer more than convenience and efficiency, they can make the lives of our seniors safer, happier, and healthier. These are only a few pieces of technology that have the capability to do all that and perhaps more.
Smart Medication Management
Statistics show that almost half of all seniors in the United States are taking around 5 medications per day and with some treatments requiring multiple doses per day. It can be confounding for seniors to remember which pill to take and when, as well as the potential side effects of taking two pills at the same time. It is a pain even caregivers share and writing complete schedules for medication or labeling the sides of bottles cannot help very much if a senior suffers from Alzheimer’s. In the past and even to this day, many seniors suffer from overdoses and underdoses because of honest mistakes.
Fortunately, there are many recent innovations that could help. From automated pill dispensers to clocks that can be programmed to remind seniors to take their medication at the right times, technology can improve safety for seniors and save caregivers a great deal of worry.
Home Sensors and Cameras
As a family caregiver, you may not be able to spend all day with your loved one. This may worry you. However, not only do we have cameras in the past decade, today, we have home sensors that can monitor everything from a knock on your home door, or if the refrigerator has just been opened, or if your loved one is lying in bed as you work at your office. This will give you peace of mind and can even help you determine if dad has been eating too much ice cream again, which is bad for his diabetes.
Smart Light Technology
Falls are the number one cause of injury among seniors, even to this day. Adequate lighting is critical in preventing falls. In the past, maybe dad would forget to turn on the light switch when going into the kitchen. Today, we have Alexa and detection technology. Seniors can now tell Alexa to turn on the lights, or simply step into the room to turn them on.
These are just a few ways technology can improve safety for seniors. Consider visiting us at Discovery Village At Twin Creeks! Here we commit ourselves to provide seniors with a place they can feel safe and at home. Contact us to learn more.
