In the past 100 years alone, the world has seen incredible advancements in technology. From telephones only being able to connect you to a neighbor, to essentially carrying small computers with us wherever we go, it is truly incredible to see how our lives have changed thanks to technology.
The advancements in technology extend far past being able to text our loved ones across the country. For your children and grandchildren, it is likely quite obvious to them how technology can improve senior living. Older adults, however, may not be quite as aware of how new devices and apps can make their lives easier.
If you’re curious how modern technology can help you age in place with greater ease, learn more about these impressive advancements below.
More convenience for ease of living
These days, most smart devices come with a voice-activated assistant, such as Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa. To activate it, all you have to do is say the device’s name before calling out your demand. These devices can be connected to other high-tech, smart devices—for instance, your phone can control your lights, or thermostat, or even your refrigerator.
While anyone would benefit from the convenience of this feature, seniors with mobility issues in particular will find great relief from it. Tasks like changing the thermostat or turning on the oven, which seem simple on the surface, are more complicated for those with mobility issues. Instead of having to worry about it, seniors can take care of these tasks from their cell phones or tablets.
Monitoring one’s health from home
For seniors with health concerns, or simply those who want to stay on top of their wellness, wearable monitors are fantastic options. The Fitbit and Apple Watch can monitor the wearer’s heart rate, blood oxygen, blood pressure, sleep, and so many more vital signs. While they can’t monitor specific conditions, they are beneficial to those who have concerns to look out for.
Seniors also benefit from the “fall detection” feature most of these devices come with. We all remember “Life Alert,” a wearable device that seniors press if they’ve fallen. These watches take Life Alert to the next level. If they detect a hard fall, a prompt pops up on the screen asking if you are okay, or if emergency services need to be called. You then press whichever option best fits your needs. If you do not respond to the device and it detects you haven’t moved for one minute, it will then call emergency services for you.
Finally, if you have health problems that require regular monitoring, technology makes it so you don’t have to go into the doctor’s office quite as often. Depending on your needs, telehealth appointments give you the freedom to speak with your primary healthcare provider through video consultation or secure messaging. This is a fantastic way to address quick concerns.
Stay in touch with friends and family members
If your friends and loved ones are spread across the state, or even the country, it can be difficult for seniors to stay up-to-date with their life in traditional forms. Social media makes staying in touch with family and friends fast and easy. In addition to regular phone calls, you can incorporate video calls to see one another “face-to-face.” Messaging allows you to chat throughout the day without the disruption of a call.
While social media is overwhelming to many older adults, the learning curve isn’t as intense as you might think. Ask a nearby loved one to walk you through it so you can manage your accounts on your own.
Fun at your fingertips
Improving your quality of life is about more than physical health– it’s about fun too. Before, all you had access to for entertainment was the limited channels on your television. These days, streaming services allow you to watch just about anything you’d like. Whether you’d like access to the news, your favorite movie, or a cooking tutorial, you can find what you need through the various video platforms.
Some streaming services are testing group-watching, which allows users to watch a show and video chat at the same time. This could be a fun way to stay in touch with your grandchildren and give you a common ground to discuss.
For support at home, consider home care
These technological advances are bound to make your life more enjoyable and safer. However, there are certain things technology can’t quite support you with yet. If you are beginning to struggle with certain activities of daily living such as personal care, meal preparation, or running errands, you may benefit from the support of a direct care worker.
At Home Care Powered by AUAF, our passionate direct care workers will offer you the support you need to age comfortably and confidently at home. For 30 years we have provided aid to seniors in the Chicago area, and we are happy to extend our services to older adults in the Phoenix area. For more information on our services, give us a call at (623) 526-6367. We would love to help.
