Caregiving
Smart Technologies to assist older adults and their caregivers
By Zury Reyes , PCOA Family Caregiver Support Specialist We have all seen those commercials of “help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” Emergency alert systems are common- place in the homes of many older adults who live alone, or stay alone for extended periods of time. While these alert systems are well-known, some other smart technologies that can help our loved ones are less known but can be just as useful. Here are some of the devices out there that you should know about as you care for your loved one: Smart plugs: These plugs are designed to let you control, via voice or an app, devices that have an on/off switch, including fans, coffee makers, space heaters, etc. There are also smart plugs that will also turn off any device by cutting off the electricity to the item plugged into it. Both types can be used to make sure your loved one has turned off electronics after using them. Pill dispensers: Automated pill dispensers come in all shapes, sizes, sophistication levels and price ranges. They can be a simple as a pill organizer attached to an alarm to a fully automated, app-managed pill sorter, dispenser and compliance log. For peoplewho havedifficulty remembering to take their medication, these can be the difference between being fully independent or needing constant medication management. Smart locks/keyless entry: Smart locks can assist with ensuring doors are locked at night, to allow safe and quick entry of emergency personnel, and to provide
notices of any suspicious activities. Depending on the style of smart lock, you can often also set up PIN numbers for entry for different people working with your loved one such as direct care workers, case managers, nurses, food delivery people, etc. Smart speakers: They can be used as an intercom system in bigger houses, can be used to voice-control other smart home devices, can serve to set up reminders and alarms, and can learn different voice commands to meet the users’ needs. Digital Pens: Sometimes, redundancy is a great thing. If you are worried about your loved one’s memory, smart pens can create a digital copy of whatever one writes with them. Smart thermostats: Look at the temperature inside your loved one’s home from your phone, and control the cooling and heating devices to adjust them so your loved one is comfortable and safe. You can save schedules for the A/C and heater, or get notifications when your loved one’s home temperature gets too high or too low. Bluetooth tracking devices: Misplace things within your house all the time? These might save you, your loved one or both of you, a nice amount of time. Attach them to your item, such as car keys or wallet, and if you can’t find them, you can go to an app and have your item tracker “ring”. It’s a lot easier to find something when it’s ringing. Smart utensils: for people with tremors or cognitive impairments, eating can be
Just a fewof the smart devices that can helpolder adults.
a difficult and frustrating task. Smart utensils can assist with handles that automatically stabilize and adjust to people’s tremors. There are, of course, considerations when deciding if any of these technologies can assist you in your caregiving journey. First, most of these require a wireless connection in the loved one’s home. Most of these also work best when the older adult has a caregiving figure keeping tabs on these devices, locally or remotely. Additionally, many of these devices can cost upwards of hundreds of dollars. Ultimately, these technologies might not help every older adult, but they should be considered as you explore what you can do to ensure your loved one can be empowered, respected and safe.
September 2019, Never Too Late | Page 5
Pima Council on Aging
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