Keeping an Eye on Elder Safety and Health

Putting smart technology to work in your home before you retire is a good idea. With the right technology, you can monitor your front door from your phone, and check on the temperature inside your home. You can even set your lights and thermostat to turn on exactly to your liking, as soon as you walk in your space.

Smart Lighting

Adding motion sensor lighting to your home is a great idea for those who plan to retire in place. As you walk into a room, the lights come on. When you leave the space or are very still in the area, they turn off. This can save you from a painful trip or a catastrophic fall. Even if your hands are full, the lights come on automatically.

Monitoring Your Home

A security camera above your front door will allow you to check who's at your house before you open the door, or even step up to the peephole. But, what about Home Security Cameras inside? A home security camera system inside your house could be a great way to call for help if you're unable to reach the phone, or unable to speak. Some people may find this intrusive. Another option is to install the cameras, but put them on a switch. When you get up in the morning, turn the cameras off for a time, so you can shower and dress in comfort and privacy. When the cameras come back on, anyone monitoring them can see that you're fine and don't need help.

Monitor The Car

One of the earliest indicators of dementia is a tendency to wander. If your loved one is still driving, consider adding a tracking device to their car. While they may just be out for a drive to enjoy the weather, a breakdown for an elderly person can be quite dangerous. With a tracking device on their car, you can know if they're just running their standard errands, or if something has gone amiss.

Personal Monitoring Devices

A popular personal monitoring device is the Medical Alert pendant that allows a senior who has fallen to call for help. However, this device does require the elderly person to remember to put it on. The act of habit formation can become difficult for an older brain; brain plasticity is a skill that has to be constantly built, and many seniors tend to cocoon themselves and lose the ability to build a new skill. Ankle cuffs and bracelets can be a permanent addition for seniors who tend to wander on foot and may not be able to find their way back.

Transportation Apps

While some seniors can't use a smartphone well enough to contact Uber, there are apps that can actually use a home landline for successful transportation arrangements. Tools such as GoGoGrandparent provide seniors a lift to where they need to go, track their location, and pick them up from the last drop-off. Functionally, it's the luxury of having a personal driver without having to hire someone for the full time of the errand. A trip to the doctor's office, the grocery store. or lunch with friends can be easily managed. The senior simply calls GoGoGrandparent for the initial lift, and when they call back and give their phone number, the app itself can track their last point of drop-off. For seniors who are worried about losing their ability to drive, this tool can be a comfort.

Aging and isolation too often go hand in hand. To provide an aging loved one—including yourself—the best chance for truly golden years, be sure to take advantage of new technologies that will make it easier for you to live safely and travel easily.