The Top Medical Tech Innovations for the Elderly
Growing older is something that many of us will experience. As we age, we do our best to find solutions to help us remain safe and independent at the same time. Thanks to technology, we can rest assured that our elderly family members have their needs taken care of or will be able to get the help they need quickly should something go wrong.
If you are aging or you have an elderly family member, it’s a good idea to know the solutions that are available to you. In recent years, there have been many technical innovations that have been released to keep your loved ones safe and prepared for life. Check out some of the top innovations below!
Medical Alert Devices
Probably one of the most well-known solutions is a medical alert device like Medical Guardian. There are many different device options out there to compare, but the Medical Guardian cost for the service you receive is one of the preferred options out there. Do the research and compare options to choose what works best for your family member.
Medical alert devices are typically something that the elderly person can wear. This way, if they fall or get hurt, they can immediately seek help through the press of a button on their device. You can find necklaces, wristbands, and other devices to best suit your needs.
Some of these innovative devices go all out, looking at sleep patterns, missed activities, and more to best provide help for the elderly person using the device.
Telemedicine
Let’s be honest; sometimes, it is very challenging for an elderly person to get out of their home and transport to a doctor’s office. They are more susceptible to falls and illnesses, and they may struggle to get around easily. While going to the doctor in person is important for some things, routine check-ins and being treated for a known illness can be handled from the comfort of the person’s home in many cases.
As long as the elderly person can use their mobile device or have someone nearby who can help, they can see a doctor without having to get out. Telemedicine allows the individual to meet with a doctor via their phone. They can do video conferencing or a telephone call, depending on the need.
This is great for a quick assessment and treatment to fill the gaps between other appointments. It is important to know and understand when they should be seen in person.
Chair Monitoring Systems
Most elderly people have a favorite recliner or chair that they typically sit in. One company came up with a chair monitoring system that helps to remotely monitor a patient as they are sitting in their chair. This innovative tool helps to provide supervision without having constant monitoring in the home.
The system uses biosensing technology to track breathing, blood oxygen level, movement, and more. With these systems, the elderly person doesn’t have to figure out how to use or manage the system. It just gets set up in their chair, and then it handles the monitoring from there. No confusing tech that they will never be able to figure out!
Medication Management
Did I remember to take my meds today? This is probably one of the biggest struggles for the elderly. As you age, your body requires additional medical support, and you may have to take multiple medications. But remembering from moment to moment whether you’ve taken the right meds or taken them at all is a challenge.
A medication management system can be helpful here, but it does require some programming to get it set up. An elderly person may need assistance with setup, but they will generally benefit from these devices once they are ready. There are different choices out there.
Philips has one system that will dispense packaged meds in chronological order and at designated times. It also communicates with medical staff. There are also simpler systems that generate timed reminders and even record whether the pill was taken and when.
Final Thoughts
Getting older doesn’t mean that you can’t keep some semblance of your independence. It simply means that you might need additional support. There are plenty of tools available for the elderly to ensure they have the support they need and can get help at a moment’s notice should something go wrong.
In addition to the things we’ve shared here, there are always new ideas and innovations in the process. Thanks to AI and robotics, you can even get your elderly family member a robotic pet to interact with and keep them company. There is something for almost any need.
