{"id":21827,"date":"2018-03-02T14:31:39","date_gmt":"2018-03-02T22:31:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/?p=21827"},"modified":"2018-03-02T14:31:39","modified_gmt":"2018-03-02T22:31:39","slug":"senior-tech-how-technology-is-aiding-the-elderly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/senior-tech-how-technology-is-aiding-the-elderly\/","title":{"rendered":"Senior Tech: How Technology is Aiding the Elderly"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>by Samantha Rivers<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-21843\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/p-content\/themes\/atahualpa342\/images\/articles\/2018\/03\/Senior-Tech-How-Technology-Aids-the-Elderly-Main.png?resize=570%2C315&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Senior Tech \" width=\"570\" height=\"315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/p-content\/themes\/atahualpa342\/images\/articles\/2018\/03\/Senior-Tech-How-Technology-Aids-the-Elderly-Main.png?w=570&amp;ssl=1 570w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/p-content\/themes\/atahualpa342\/images\/articles\/2018\/03\/Senior-Tech-How-Technology-Aids-the-Elderly-Main.png?resize=300%2C166&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/p-content\/themes\/atahualpa342\/images\/articles\/2018\/03\/Senior-Tech-How-Technology-Aids-the-Elderly-Main.png?resize=150%2C83&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Today\u2019s modern smartphones share an essential trait with mankind\u2019s earliest attempts at technology. Stone implements and computers may be separated by millions of years, but they are both tools intended to make life easier for their users.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s important to make this point, as it helps illustrate how and why \u201ctechnology\u201d is not to be feared by the elderly, but rather embraced. Senior tech is constantly being developed specifically <a href=\"https:\/\/www.economist.com\/news\/special-report\/21724747-latest-technology-even-more-beneficial-old-young-new\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">for the purpose of aiding the elderly<\/a> \u2013 not to hinder. Here are but a few ways in which senior tech is making a difference.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Mobility<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Nearly 16 million Americans over the age of 65 have difficulty walking or climbing. In fact, mobility issues are among the most common disabilities suffered by elderly men and women.<\/p>\n<p>In previous years, these individuals would have been bedridden, confined to the home, or forced to rely on a walking stick. But senior tech is continuing to evolve, and several notable technologies are in development that will aid the elderly with mobility in the years and decades to come.<\/p>\n<p>From a personal mobility standpoint, companies like Honda are leading the way with devices like the <a href=\"http:\/\/world.honda.com\/UNI-CUB\/introduction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Uni-Cub<\/a> self-balancing cycle, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.honda.com\/mobility\/walking-assist-technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Walk Assist<\/a> exoskeleton. Though these products aren\u2019t yet commercially available, this senior tech could revolutionize elder mobility in the near future.<\/p>\n<p>And then there are companies like Google that are looking to transform long-distance mobility with fully autonomous cars. The blind and disabled currently must rely on others \u2013 or public transportation \u2013 when they want to travel across town, but with self-driving cars, this could become a thing of the past.<\/p>\n<p>The possibilities of senior tech are endless but one thing is certain: these developments will help the elderly be more independent than ever before.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Security<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>One of the greatest benefits that senior tech can provide the elderly is a sense of security. Many elderly individuals live alone, which means they are vulnerable to injury, theft, burglary, and other risks.<\/p>\n<p>Senior tech can help mitigate these risk factors and provide for a safer, more secure household. Best of all, many of these technologies can be integrated seamlessly and easily into a person\u2019s life.<\/p>\n<p>If your parents or grandparents aren\u2019t tech-savvy, no need to worry: many tech gadgets for the home are fully automated and easy to set up.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21838\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/p-content\/themes\/atahualpa342\/images\/articles\/2018\/02\/GreatCall.png?resize=435%2C244&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"435\" height=\"244\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/p-content\/themes\/atahualpa342\/images\/articles\/2018\/02\/GreatCall.png?w=333&amp;ssl=1 333w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/p-content\/themes\/atahualpa342\/images\/articles\/2018\/02\/GreatCall.png?resize=300%2C168&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/p-content\/themes\/atahualpa342\/images\/articles\/2018\/02\/GreatCall.png?resize=150%2C84&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>For security around the house, systems like the <a href=\"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/12\/worried-about-your-senior-parents-living-in-their-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Home8 alarm<\/a> offer automation, video monitoring, direct calling, and fire safety.<\/p>\n<p>To help individuals who may be a fall risk, medical alert devices like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatcall.com\/devices\/lively-mobile-medical-alert-system\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Lively Mobile<\/a> can ensure that help is within reach, even if a phone isn\u2019t. Easily worn on the clothes or body, this GPS-equipped device is designed to aid elderly individuals who may not have care providers of their own.<\/p>\n<p>And for those suffering from Alzheimer\u2019s disease or dementia, gadgets like the iGuardStove can help ensure that ovens are never left on accidentally. Senior tech can help the elderly do what they can\u2019t do on their own, so that their lives are safer and more rewarding.<\/p>\n<h2>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Health<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It goes without saying that a primary concern for many elderly men and women is their health. As we age, our bodies function less efficiently and start to slowly break down.<\/p>\n<p>Though medicine plays a large role in the lives of many older men and women, it\u2019s worth noting that senior tech is making real inroads when it comes to at-home healthcare.<\/p>\n<p>From <a href=\"https:\/\/ymedialabs.com\/future-of-healthcare\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">mobile medical applications<\/a> to take-home medical devices, senior tech is transforming elderly treatment and empowering individuals to care for themselves \u2013 on their own terms, at their own convenience.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-21839\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/p-content\/themes\/atahualpa342\/images\/articles\/2018\/02\/Medminder.png?resize=364%2C289&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"364\" height=\"289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/p-content\/themes\/atahualpa342\/images\/articles\/2018\/02\/Medminder.png?w=364&amp;ssl=1 364w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/p-content\/themes\/atahualpa342\/images\/articles\/2018\/02\/Medminder.png?resize=300%2C238&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/p-content\/themes\/atahualpa342\/images\/articles\/2018\/02\/Medminder.png?resize=150%2C119&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 364px) 100vw, 364px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps unsurprisingly, there is a technological solution for nearly every aspect of human health, making senior tech a natural fit for the elderly.<\/p>\n<p>For example, medical devices like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medminder.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">MedMinder<\/a> pill dispenser and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medtronicdiabetes.com\/products\/minimed-530g-diabetes-system-with-enlite\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">MiniMed<\/a> glucose system help elderly patients better monitor and treat their health conditions right from home.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-21840\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/p-content\/themes\/atahualpa342\/images\/articles\/2018\/03\/EmfitQS.png?resize=444%2C244&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"444\" height=\"244\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/p-content\/themes\/atahualpa342\/images\/articles\/2018\/03\/EmfitQS.png?w=355&amp;ssl=1 355w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/p-content\/themes\/atahualpa342\/images\/articles\/2018\/03\/EmfitQS.png?resize=300%2C165&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/p-content\/themes\/atahualpa342\/images\/articles\/2018\/03\/EmfitQS.png?resize=150%2C82&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 444px) 100vw, 444px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>If your parents complain about lack of sleep or poor sleeping patterns, devices like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.emfitqs.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Emfit QS<\/a> can help them diagnose the condition.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to elderly care, senior tech can play a prominent and significant role, as it aids in all aspects of healthcare: monitoring, diagnosis, <em>and<\/em> treatment.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Senior Tech: The Future of Elderly Care&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Technology isn\u2019t merely for the young. Quite the contrary, in fact; elderly men and women benefit from technology in a myriad of ways, every single day.<\/p>\n<p>Not only can technology play a role in providing superior care, but it can help ensure a better quality of life as well.<\/p>\n<p>Whether this is accomplished through improved mobility, increased security, or simply convenience and ease of use, technology is here to help. So embrace it!<\/p>\n<p>Interested in more senior tech?&nbsp; See our article,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/12\/worried-about-your-senior-parents-living-in-their-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Worried About Your Senior Parents Living In Their Home?<\/a> for some more advice to help you &#8220;watch over&#8221; your parents from afar.<\/p>\n<h1 class=\"entry-title\">&nbsp;<\/h1>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Samantha Rivers &nbsp; Today\u2019s modern smartphones share an essential trait with mankind\u2019s earliest attempts at technology. Stone implements and computers may be separated by millions of years, but they are both tools intended to make life easier for their users. It\u2019s important to make this point, as it helps illustrate how and why \u201ctechnology\u201d [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":21843,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[793,6,14,862],"tags":[3432,3434,3313,3436,3433,863,3435,3437],"class_list":["post-21827","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-accessories","category-dads","category-moms","category-seniors","tag-again-in-place","tag-emfit","tag-home8","tag-medminder","tag-senior-tech","tag-seniors-2","tag-surecall","tag-walk-assist","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/p-content\/themes\/atahualpa342\/images\/articles\/2018\/03\/Senior-Tech-How-Technology-Aids-the-Elderly-Main.png?fit=570%2C315&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21827","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21827"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21827\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21843"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21827"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21827"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21827"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}