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February 04, 2019

6 Tech Tools for Elderly Health and Safety in 2019

Technology is a vital resource for seniors. With the right tech tools in place, seniors can continue living in their own homes for longer. Not all tech tools are expensive, so if your aged parent is keen to stay at home, check out the following list.



Medical Alerts

Many seniors have complex health needs. They are vulnerable to slips and falls, are not always very mobile and they might have serious long-term illnesses such as emphysema or arthritis. A medical alert system in place lets seniors call for help. This tech tool is a literal lifesaver for the elderly.

These alert systems have fall detection technology, don’t always need a landline, and include personal alarms as well as in-house call buttons. Check this site for info on the best medical alert companies. Look for products that are FDA registered and pick one that has good customer reviews.

Smartwatches

Some older people are resistant to wearing a medical alert pendant. A smartwatch is a useful alternative. They can use their smartwatch to make calls or set medication reminders. They also come with GPS technology, so if a senior gets lost, they can navigate their way home or be found by a concerned relative or friend.

GPS Trackers

GPS trackers are useful for dementia patients who often wander off and get lost. There are GPS smart insoles which are inserted inside a person’s shoes. If your aged parent is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, they might not want to wear a smartwatch or personal alarm, but if you surreptitiously stick a GPS insole inside their favorite pair of shoes, they won’t be any the wiser. You can then use this to keep track of their movements and find them if they go missing.

iPad

Many elderly people find computers difficult to use. They don’t feel comfortable sitting at a desk and the complexities of booting up and navigating a computer are too much for them. So, they stubbornly ignore all attempts to get them online. But having online access opens up a whole new world. They can use a computer to keep in touch with family and friends via social media, play games, and listen to music or stream video content.

If your elderly parent is uninterested in using a computer because they say, “an old dog can’t learn new tricks!”, try giving them an iPad to play with. Tablets are easier to use thanks to touchscreen technology. It takes far less effort to figure out an iPad and the battery lasts much longer. Install a few helpful apps and show your senior how much fun an iPad can be. It won’t be long before they are using FaceTime (News - Alert) to chat to the grandkids and Googling the nearest social events for seniors.

Fitness Trackers

Fitness trackers are much loved by health-conscious Millennials, but they are just as useful for the older generations. A fitness tracker can monitor sleep and activity levels. It helps your aged parent look after their health better. They can see at a glance whether they need to get up and stretch their arthritic limbs more often or get some extra sleep.

Wireless Headphones

A lot of older people suffer from hearing loss. They need to turn the volume up on their TV or radio to be able to hear it properly. This isn’t a problem for them, but it is a problem for neighbors and people who live with them. Give a senior with hearing loss a pair of wireless headphones and connect them to the TV. They can then watch their favorite shows at full volume, without disturbing anyone else.

Technology is here to help, so make sure you investigate all the tech tools available for seniors.

About the Author:
Jessica Peters is a freelance writer from Melbourne who blogs about health and fitness. Jessica is an avid traveler and regularly crosses the globe to learn about other cultures while blogging from her laptop.



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