Maintaining Independence for Seniors Through Technology

For many seniors, maintaining their independence is second only to maintaining their health. They want to remain in their current setting as long as they can and with as little assistance as possible. But as they age, of course, the challenges mount.

Attending to their own physical and cognitive needs through proper nutrition, appropriate exercise, and activities that promote mental well-being can make a significant difference in their ability to stay self-sufficient. Equally important gains are being achieved through the use of rapidly advancing senior care technology, which is having a very positive impact on their prospects for aging in place.

There are many types of systems that can help seniors overcome the hurdles to independent living and reassure their caregivers and families that they are safe. These include:

• Resident safety and fall detection technology that ensures a rapid response if a senior falls or suffers a medical emergency
• Wander management solutions that keep residents with diminished cognitive ability safe by preventing them from entering areas that are inappropriate for them
• Medication management systems that help prevent avoidable hospitalizations due to failure to follow a drug regimen
• Predictive analytics tools that identify patients that are at risk of hospital transport in the next 30 days, allowing caregivers to intervene

These individual systems can be used together in a comprehensive and effective senior care plan that enables far greater autonomy.

From Operational to Emotional: The Many Benefits of Senior Care Technology

The business case for implementing senior care solutions is clear. They help communities:

• Increase operational efficiency
• Prevent hospitalizations that decrease occupancy
• Streamline staff communication
• Improve the resident and visitor experience

Just as importantly, they provide the sense of independence that seniors want for themselves and that their families want for them. And whether they use the advanced communication capabilities of these systems or not, the fact that they can reach out at any time helps to decrease their sense of isolation.

It would be easy to dismiss these emotional benefits of senior care technology as simply that. But the reality is, seniors want to live in communities where their desire for independence is not only understood but supported. Their families have a strong preference for that as well. As a result, attending to this desire can enhance a community’s reputation and increase occupancy in an often competitive market.

The Future of Senior Care Technology

The good news for seniors, their families, and their caregivers is that senior care technology is already advancing rapidly and that rate will surely increase. One can only imagine how the Internet of Things, augmented and virtual reality, and other new technologies will lead to a senior population that is better protected and more connected than ever before. We simply need to embrace the coming innovations and commit to putting them to the best possible use.