Smart Care Technology

Apps and Devices for People With Dementia

Technology has become more user-friendly for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, as well as their caregivers. High-tech tools like location trackers can supervise and assist, while lower-tech tools like special eating utensils or clothing are also available to make life with dementia less difficult.

If a loved one is living with dementia learn how smart care technology is helping with different aspects of daily life. The growing number of people with dementia is encouraging care providers to look to technology as a way of supporting human carers and improving patients' quality of life. In particular, we want to use technology to help people with dementia live more independently for as long as possible.

Smart Care Technology utilizes a series of pre-programmed data-collecting sensors to allow senior care providers to monitor and alert on the activities of seniors in their homes or care communities. These can include Apps and devices for family members with Alzheimer's, dementia, or other conditions with memory loss.

Implementing smart home technology for elderly and disabled family members can make aging in place safer and more enjoyable. A sense of independence helps maintain a high quality of life, and children of elderly parents appreciate how quickly smart-home systems alert them to their parents' needs.

Caregiving is a challenging task, but technology is making it easier. Some believe apps, sensors, smart medical devices, and other technologies even have the potential to make the nursing home obsolete. This may be overly optimistic-but for some seniors and the elderly technology is crucial in helping them age in place at home.

Apps and Devices for People With Dementia

Caregiving can be a challenge-especially when your loved one has dementia, and when you're far away. Wearable tech gives caregivers the ability to see where their loved one is at all times-no matter how far apart they are.

Monitoring Health

There are a wealth of companies that provide apps and technologies making it easier for seniors and their caregivers to monitor and manage their health-everything from medication management apps to cloud-based health information trackers. A medication reminder is a simple smartphone app.

A medicine reminder is a simple smartphone app, and one that can help manage numerous people's medications thanks to multiple profiles. It also tracks your prescriptions and reminds you when it's time for a refill. These simplify healthcare management, especially for patients who see multiple doctors.

Helps keep their minds young.

Memory games and apps can boost cognitive function and memory-they really do make a difference. Some studies suggest that even searching the Internet or playing video games can improve brain function among seniors.

Encourages them to exercise.

It can be difficult to get up and moving as a senior-and many factors contribute, from mobility issues to lack of access to classes. But technology can help. YouTube classes in everything from gentle yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates to more challenging disciplines bring exercise into seniors' living rooms-and these are often taught by experienced instructors. Wii Fit offers bowling, yoga, aerobics and balance games, and more for people of all fitness levels.

Broadens communication.

Sure, ideally we'd all live close enough to visit every day. But many seniors live far from their family members-and this can make it difficult to age where they are.

Loneliness is still epidemic among seniors. But technologies such as Skype, Google Chat, and Facebook Live can help them connect with friends and family all over the world-no travel required. And even social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook can make a difference in helping seniors feel connected to the lives of far-off loved ones.

In addition, tools such as heart rate monitors and step counters can help seniors track their own activity levels and stay motivated.

Some monitoring systems can be set up around a bed or throughout the house, alerting caregivers whenever an elderly person falls or goes outside of a defined boundary. This helps caregivers keep their loved ones safe from any distance.

Technology may not be ready to make assisted living obsolete entirely, but it can make a big difference in senior quality of life. If you're caring for an elderly loved one, it's worth looking into which apps, sensor systems, wearables, and other technologies make sense for you and the person you care for.

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