With more than 47 million people in the U.S. now over the age of 65, many Americans are finding themselves facing the difficult process of helping aging parents deal with changes in health and mental capacity.
While many adult children want to do what they can to help their parents maintain their independence, when they begin to need help with everyday activities or even around-the-clock monitoring, that can be a challenge.
Luckily, there are a few technologies that are helping aging adults stay in their homes while still receiving the care that they need.
Remote Monitoring Offers a Safe, Healthy Solution for Round-the-Clock Care
Billions of people around the globe are quarantined or sheltering in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. For many families and individuals, that means stocking up on groceries, cooking at home and working remotely. But for older generations, things get a bit more complicated.
While for many healthy adults, the virus causes only mild symptoms, the CDC has warned that individuals over the age of 65 are more susceptible to severe illness if they contract coronavirus. Adults that require around-the-clock care are now caught in a difficult position. They still need monitoring and care, but also need to limit contact with other individuals to reduce their chances of contracting the deadly virus.
Remote elderly monitoring via a security camera system allows adult children and other caregivers to check in on their aging relatives from anywhere. But these systems aren’t just a great solution when you need to limit hand-to-hand contact. They also allow caregivers to keep an eye on their loved ones while running errands or during the night. A security system provides a 24/7 monitoring solution that can be used to give caregivers some peace of mind when they can’t be with their loved ones. They are also a great way to give elderly adults the option of remaining in their home while still giving family members a quick way to check-in when they can’t reach them.
Security for Adults With Mobility Issues
Adults of any age who have trouble getting around in their own home can get back some of their independence and sense of safety with a security camera system. Whether they want to see who is knocking on the door or need to check in on children or other family members in another room, a security camera system connected to a smartphone gives individuals the capability of checking in without needing to move from room to room.
Smart Home Tech Gives Seniors Back Some Independence
For aging adults who are still capable of living on their own without 24/7 care, smart home technology can help add some safety and security to their lives.
Smart home hubs like Google Home or Amazon Alexa can perform a number of important tasks. Adults with trouble remembering things like taking daily medications can use them to set reminders. Many devices can even be connected to a home’s landline so that they can be used to call 911 even if you can’t reach the phone.
Using Tech to Give Seniors Back Their Independence
Whether an aging parent requires 24/7 monitoring or just a reminder to take their medications, these home tech solutions can help give seniors back some independence while also allowing caregivers to keep a watchful eye or rest assured that their loved one is safe.