Best Emerging Assistive Technologies in Senior Care

The term ‘old age’ sounds daunting and more often than not we picture frailty and weakness, reduced rate of activity and lesser interest in life whenever we think about it. It coerces us to envision our future self lying in a hospital bed with too many health complications, as we fail to take care of ourselves. However, this scenario has changed with the rising use of assistive technologies and with different companies coming up with cutting edge technologies to help people monitor their health by themselves. Digital tools such as personal health monitoring devices are readily available for senior citizens and have proven to be immensely helpful in catering to the health care needs of these people.

What is assistive technology?

If you are not familiar with the term assistive technology yet, then let me tell you what exactly is assistive technology and how it can help you. Assistive technology makes use of IT systems and tools to assist or aid elderly individuals with safety, mobility and regular schedules of life. A good example will be personal medical alert systems that remind older adults of their daily medicine intake. Assistive technology makes it possible for elderly people to take care of their physical as well as mental health while providing them self reliance.

Top 6 Emerging Assistive Technologies in Senior Care

With the emergence of assistive devices for seniors, the horizon for assistive technologies is also broadening. This has given rise to unique assistive devices. Currently, there are six emerging assistive technologies that offer home monitor for elderly and those are listed below. 

Personal health monitoring devices

Personal health monitoring devices such as the one sold by AgeWell are the best kind of assistive technology that is available for elderlies. Such devices function with the help of Bluetooth. Where the user has to download the AgeWell app and connect the monitoring device with the app via Bluetooth. The assistive technology of this device makes it possible for seniors to keep a track of vital signals. The device also enables them to takes tests and shares the reports with their family and doctor instantly. Using this kind of device it is now possible for elderly individuals to undergo multiple tests sitting right at home. This includes checking blood sugar lever, oxygen level, blood pressure, heart rate and so on and share the test reports with doctors. 

Medical alert technology

Health monitoring devices also have inbuilt personal medical alert systems which provide the feasibility of checking the personal health of elderlies. It sends alerts to them about their health condition and the vitals they need to take care of. Moreover, the AgeWell app allows to save and access medical reports and prescriptions. Thereby making them more aware and alert about their present health. Home monitor for elderly has become more effective with the use of such assistive technologies. 

Virtual reality goggles

Virtual reality goggles are an emerging assistive technology that is greatly effective in fighting the urge of loneliness. Reports have stated that earlier, that, loneliness resulted from social isolation can lead to depression, obesity, high blood pressure, dementia and further severe physical and mental health complications. Virtual reality goggles offer enthusiastic and interesting experiences through sound and sight and even through smell at times. This can give elderlies the feeling of being in a physical surrounding while relaxing at home. Virtual reality goggles are designed in such a way that it can give the feeling of vacationing on a beach or place of the user’s choice. 

Assistant Speaker

Assistant speakers can be utilized as sound assistive devices for elderlies. It can be used by senior citizens to directly communicate with caregivers, fix medicine intake alerts, book appointments and keep track of vitals. Assistant speakers are built of artificial intelligence and can aid in monitoring health symptoms, blood sugar levels, delivery of prescriptions and so on. 

Detection Watches

Detection watches are incorporated with alert switches which can aid elderly individuals to look for help immediately if they get injured or fall. Although it aids to locate help when in need but does not prevent a fall or an injury from taking place. There are few watches that have incorporated the provision of medicine intake alerts to help people who have difficulty in remembering their time of medicine intake. 

Smart pillboxes and bottles

It is no news that thousands of people keep losing their lives due to medicine intake negligence or error. But with the launch of assistive devices for seniors, including IoT bottles and pillboxes this can now be prevented. These smart pillboxes take note of the required medical doses of elderlies along with the correct time of intake. This helps them with the accurate dosage of medicines right on time. 

Wrapping Up

The advancement of assistive technologies has made it possible for seniors as well as for their families to keep a track of their parents who are living far away from them. Moreover, it can ease the stress of seniors to keep going to the hospitals to visit doctors or for basic tests. The availability of assistive technologies and devices provides them with the ease of consulting doctors online and also help them to live a more independent life.