Today’s seniors are inundated with an explosion of high tech products aimed at improving their independence and safety and enhancing their lives. They can wear a necklace that responds with emergency assistance when needed, instantly visit “in person” with friends and family through Skype, and even be prevented from wandering with specialized sensors attached to clothing or shoes.
The issue becomes how to inspire seniors (and those who care for them) to shift from a low-tech mindset to embracing all that’s available to them. A recent Caring.com survey showed that as few as 15% of families caring for senior loved ones are actually utilizing technology. The main hurdles?
- Stigma. Many older adults see technology products, such as medical alert jewelry, as a sign of lost independence.
- Support. Troubleshooting problems with technology causes many seniors and their caregivers to give up on trying to make gadgets work.
- Time. Finding time to devote to learning and trying something new is especially challenging for busy caregivers.
If you’d like to incorporate a little technology into a senior care plan for a loved one but are facing these problems or others, call on Independence-4-Seniors Home Care for help. Our patient and trained staff can help overcome the technology hurdles by:
- Making recommendations for technology that fits an individual’s needs and personality
- Setting up and providing instruction on how to use the technology
Whether it is setting up a personal medical alert system or teaching someone how to enjoy applications on a tablet device, we can help seniors stay connected to family and friends and enjoy life to the fullest! Contact our senior care experts to learn more about how we can help incorporate assistive technology into your loved one’s care plan. Independence-4-Seniors provides home care services in the Chicago, IL area; including Cook, DuPage, Will and Kane Counties.