Technology to set caregivers at ease
As our population ages, it’s necessary to develop healthcare solutions and technologies suited for that population. Combine with that the rising costs associated with hospitals and the desire that our older population has to stay out of assisted living, and it creates a perfect technological storm for the ‘silver tsunami’ – the trend of aging in the workforce.
Caregivers for those who are aging in place are caught between two priorities: They want to take care of their aging family member, but they also need to take care of their own family. There are several areas where developers have stepped in to relieve some of the pressure on those caregivers.
Medical alert devices
Despite the fact that medical alert system devices have been around since the 1970’s, less than 20% of the older population in the USA uses this technology. In its simplest form, it’s designed to facilitate communications between the patient and emergency personnel. By simply pressing the large button, users are able to summon help to their location without the need of a nearby caregiver.
Telehealth / Telemedicine
This is one of the largest areas of growth in technology, as it allows remote and relatively unobtrusive monitoring of vital signs without our loved one having to leave the home. The information is transmitted via the Internet for evaluation.
In Singapore, there is a trial program designed to monitor diabetes patients run by the Eastern Healthcare Alliance. In these trials, the elderly are asked to monitor their blood pressure, oxygen levels, heart rates, and glucose levels. The results are sent back and, if there are issues, medical professionals can intervene.
Monitoring and tracking technologies
There are times when caregivers aren’t able to be there to make sure that their loved ones are doing well. With the Internet of things and cellular technologies, caregivers no longer need to worry about what their loved one is doing as sensors can be placed throughout their home and directly on the devices that they use within the home.
For example, Lively offers a service where motion sensors are placed onto objects within the home and then monitored. The results from these monitors are sent to a central hub where alerts are sent to caregivers if anything out of the ordinary happens.
The BeClose system does something similar by placing monitors around the home. It looks at the routines that a caregiver’s loved one is doing, and when something is out of the ordinary it’s reported. This potentially makes a great backup in case the personal emergency response system isn’t being carried.
Meanwhile, tracking devices have also been made available; the popular ones cater to the seniors to provide them mobility, and at the same time, ensuring their safety. For instance, some of our older population likes to wander around, and sometimes when they wander they get lost. Two technologies have converged in China to help the elderly find their way once more: cell phones and QR codes.
In certain provinces of China, citizens are being issued badges with QR codes on them so that older people can find their way back home again with the assistance of others. Since many Chinese carry smart phones, the technology is easy to use and helpful.
What technologies have you seen that have the potential to greatly help the older community? We’d love to hear about them in the comments. (By C.Kimball)
About the Author
Charlie Kimball, works for MedicalCareAlert.com, a Michigan-based company providing home care monitoring for family members who choose to stay at home despite medical challenges. Charlie is a graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit. She blogs for her company.
Category: Technology & Devices, Top Story
