Even on the best of days, caring for an aging loved one with everything else on your plate can be overwhelming. Taking advantage of modern technology is one way to stay ahead of the curve while serving as a family caregiver. In addition to being a real-time-saver, utilizing the latest caregiving gadgets and devices will help ensure a higher quality of life for you and your care recipient. What follows are several ways for a caregiver to use technology so that the seniors will continue to receive the nurturing they deserve.
How Modern Technology Benefits the Aging
As the average person grows older, the inevitable challenges of aging can keep them from staying active and socially engaged. For many seniors, living “life to the fullest” becomes more of a cliché than reality. Fortunately, technology offers a way for formerly isolated seniors and their caregivers to fight back.
Modern technology provides aging-in-place seniors with many benefits, such as:
- Source of entertainment
- Monitoring health and wellness
- Access to food and transportation
- Connects them with family, friends, and healthcare providers
- Safety and security
- Staying informed about the latest news and trends
- Ensures peace of mind
- Alerts caregivers if something is wrong
New Technologies for Independent Seniors
These high-tech apps, gadgets, and services now allow seniors to age safely and comfortably in place while staying connected with family and friends:
Mobile phone apps
Mobile applications, or apps, are computer programs designed to run on a smartphone or tablet. There are apps for playing games, listening to music or audiobooks, or watching videos. Some apps can be downloaded for free, while others must be purchased through the Apple App Store (Apple devices) or Google Play (Android devices). Some of the best mobile apps for seniors include Find My iPhone, Pandora, Life360, and AARP Now.
Food delivery services
Along with socialization, a senior’s health also relies on good nutrition. Food delivery service apps like Silver Cuisine, Magic Kitchen, or Freshology make it easy for older adults to have groceries and nutritious meals brought right to their doorstep.
Video chatting services
COVID-19 has driven the demand for video conferencing and chatting services that can also be used by seniors to communicate with loved ones. Free services like Skype, FaceTime, and Zoom allow older adults to call loved ones and see their smiling faces even when they live far away. From checking in on the grandchildren to hosting a book club with friends, video chats are a great way for homebound seniors to stay connected!
Medical alert systems
In-home falls and other accidents injure millions of older adults every year. Medical alert devices are one way to restore peace of mind for seniors and their families. In the event of an emergency, a medical alert system like Medical Alert, LifeFone, or GetSafe allows the user to promptly notify first responders, dramatically reducing the time it takes for them to arrive at the home.
Virtual doctor’s visits
Without leaving the house, telemedicine services like PlushCare, Teladoc, and MDlive now offer elderly patients convenient access to many of the same services that they would normally receive at their doctor’s office. By videoconferencing with a licensed doctor or nurse, seniors can take advantage of virtual medical services that include checkups, urgent care, and mental health care.
Ridesharing services
Older adults who are unable to drive, or just prefer not to, can also benefit from senior transportation and ridesharing apps like Lyft and Uber. With these mobile apps, simply enter your destination and choose a ride. For security purposes, the app will alert you once the driver has arrived at your home.
Quality In-Home Senior Care Delivered with a Personal Touch
Caring for an aging loved one can still be challenging even while deploying the latest caregiving technology. At Adultcare Assistance Homecare, we’d love to have an open dialogue with you about your needs and how we can help your loved one comfortably and affordably age in place. As a locally owned agency with a long track record of success, our highly trained caregivers can step in and provide your family with the care that’s needed.
Our home care services include respite care, companion care, medication reminders, senior transportation, light housekeeping, and even 24-hour, live-in assistance. To learn more about our award-winning services now or to get a FREE Home Care Assessment for a senior in Phoenix, Sun City, or Tucson, AZ, today, please visit Adultcare Assistance Homecare at: www.adultassistance.com.
