Technology is a wonderful thing. Staying organized with daily reminders, quickly getting questions answered, and staying connected with family and friends are a few of the perks of today’s technology. When applied to the senior demographic, technology takes on a whole new application.
CaraVita Home Care proudly serves seniors and their families throughout Roswell, Georgia, and the Metro Atlanta area. We know that making life easier can also make life better. While we want to highlight technologies that can benefit day-to-day living, we also want to highlight technologies and applications that can be extremely beneficial during difficult times.
Video Calling
With the current climate surrounding COVID-19 and the limitations family and friends have to visit their older loved ones, it is vital to continue to stay connected and up-to-date. Video calling technology allows families and loved ones to see each other virtually, remain updated on well-being, and maintain relationships and closeness.
Fortunately, as this type of technology grows in popularity, there are a variety of ways to video call a loved one.
- For those who own an Apple product, FaceTime is a tool built right in. Whether it’s an iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer, users can easily video chat each other (It’s important to note that both parties need to be using an Apple product).
- If both parties have access to a computer or smart device, Skype is another free video call option. To utilize Skype, both parties will need to have the Skype application downloaded onto their specific device.
These are only two of the many video calling tools available. Coordinate with your loved one to find an application or tool that is easy to use for everyone involved.
We know that the senior population has been impacted the most by the COVID-19 crisis. Due to their higher risk surrounding the illness, older adults have been more isolated and separated from those they love. Utilizing video calling tools will help promote connectivity, keep the senior in your life from experiencing social isolation, and bring peace of mind to everyone involved.
Wearable Tech
Wearable technology and smartwatches have been growing in popularity over the years, and it is not uncommon to see dozens of people a day wearing an Apple Watch or smartwatch. Smartwatches have several features that can make anyone’s life more convenient, including:
- GPS
- Built-in phone and text messaging
- Access to thousands of applications
- Calendar
- Alarms
- Health monitoring
While these features are convenient for any user, an older adult will likely get additional benefits from them. With the calendar and alerts, users can remind themselves of essential tasks like taking medication or going to appointments. The health monitoring applications built into the watch can help your loved one check their heart rate and blood pressure, putting him or her in charge of their own health.
Apple Watches, like the rest of the Apple products, also has FaceTime and video calling capabilities!
In-Home Technology
Devices like Alexa or Google Home are easy to use because they respond to voice commands. Whether you’re asking what time of day it is or what the weather is like outside, they always have an answer.
Voice controlled technology can be beneficial because a user can quickly ask specific questions that can make day-to-day tasks, such as cooking or traveling, even easier.
The debate of whether Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home is better than the other is not one we can solve. You’ll have to look into the features of each device and decide which one would be best for you or a loved one.
Medication Management Devices
Medication management devices remind a user to take their medicine, which can be especially helpful for older adults who may take multiple medications a day.
One device we would like to mention in particular is the MedMinder. This gadget can dispense medication at specific times of the day to ensure a user doesn’t forget to take it (or prevents a user from accidentally taking medicine more than once a day). If your loved one doesn’t take the medication, the device will play a pre-recorded message created by you or a family member reminding them. If there is still no action, the device will send a message to a predetermined phone number or email address, letting you know that the medication was never accepted.
With the emergence of new technology every year, seniors can manage their health, make life easier, and always feel connected to those they love.
CaraVita Home Care knows how concerned older adults, family, and neighbors are with COVID-19. Ensuring the safety of our clients and seniors is our number one priority. Click here to learn more about CaraVita Home Care’s response to COVID-19 and the actions we are taking to reduce illness.
Topics: Technology, CaraVita Home Care