Latest tech devices enable seniors to age in place comfortably

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As we grow older it is only natural that we want to be surrounded by the people and things we know and love. According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) as many as 90% of seniors wish to age in place. In fact, nearly 82% of seniors would prefer to age in place even if they required on-going assistance, especially with regards to their health. Thankfully, an ever-evolving range of technological systems and gadgets are making it substantially easier for senior citizens to not only age in place but to give their loved ones increased peace of mind as well. Mobile apps, in particular, are not only providing increased assistance in terms of health, but safety while at home as well.

Document and monitor your blood pressure

At present, it is believed that nearly 26% of the world’s population is living with varying degrees of high blood pressure.  It is of paramount importance that seniors keep a close eye on their blood pressure to prevent any complications such as stroke, kidney failure, heart disease, and eye problems from arising. The iBP app makes it very easy for a senior to document and monitor their BP on a daily basis. After entering your BP readings into the app, a graph will display reading trends and indicate whether they are in the normal or high range. iPhone users can also download the Blood Pressure Monitor application which, apart from providing a substantial amount of statistical info, also allows the user to export any data they wish to share with a health care provider.

Remember to take your pills on time

The older you get, the harder it becomes to remember when to take your medicine, how much to take of it, and how to take it correctly. Luckily, there are a variety of cutting-edge applications that make aging in place comfortable; for instance, Medisafe Pill Reminder is a superb all-in-one app that not only reminds seniors when they are scheduled to take their medication but also when a prescription has to be refilled. Additionally, the app also keeps track of weight, heart rate, blood sugar levels & blood pressure, and temperature while allowing the data to be shared with a health care practitioner. Similarly, Pillboxie, which was created by a registered nurse, is a more simplistic app that emits audible alerts when it is time to take medication. Both apps are easily customized to suit the individual needs of the user.

Stay safe at all times

With escalating global crime rates, as well as increased risk of trips and falls among seniors, an emergency panic button is an absolute must. The Red Panic Button is a great app for both Android and iPhone devices. Users can report an emergency to pre-selected emergency contacts by simply opening the app and tapping the big red button in the middle of the screen which sends both a message and email with your exact GPS location. A good alternative to the Red Panic Button is the Senior Safety App which also includes a free and easy-to-use emergency call button that will swiftly enable a round-robin call to all pre-set emergency contacts. A link with the current location of the device will also be sent out to the emergency contacts.

Growing old is a huge privilege, especially if you are able to do it in the comfort of your own home. Thankfully constant tech evolutions are making easier than ever before for seniors to comfortably age in place in their very own homes.

Written by Karoline Gore, who has spent most of her working life in tech development before leaving to pursue her passion as a freelance writer. She enjoys the slower pace of this life but still loves to geek out on technology topics.

1 Comment

  1. Great piece. This is absolutely true that seniors prefer to age-in-place in their own homes as independently as possible. They retain their dignity, if they (and their families) embrace the technology that exists to help them do so.

    For example, products like Remote Home Check non-intrusively monitors activities of daily living (ADLs) and will alert the primary caregiver on an easy-to-use dashboard if anything needs to be addressed, such as starting to live a more sedentary life. Perhaps Mom or Dad is in pain but hasn’t said anything, and they need to get to the doctor. Or, perhaps this is an early warning sign of dementia or Alzheimer’s? Either way, it can be addressed before it’s too late.

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