How Technology Enhances Your Senior’s Life
By Jeremy Grant
Owner of Home Instead Hamilton
Today's technology was yesterday's science fiction. Cartoons from the 1960s depict a world where you can call up your boss and talk to them on screen. While we don't dash about in flying cars, we now can, and we certainly do speak to others over the Internet, order food for delivery, play games, and garner information, without leaving our homes.
Aging adults can benefit from technological advances, too. They can interact with family and friends, track down old high school flames, and even measure the number of steps they walk. Using technology plus adding a trained personal support worker is a recipe for success for you and your loved one.
6 Ways Technology Will Enhance Your Loved One’s Life
Each time you grab your tablet, consider how that piece of technology can also benefit your mother or father. No doubt, there is a learning curve to anything new, but it doesn't outweigh how technology can enhance the lives of the elderly:
- It gives a big picture of their health: Wearable health trackers and smartphones capture valuable information for the wearer and their doctor. These small devices track steps, heart rate, and sleep patterns. This aids in seeing when daily routines and biological ‘normals’ are off-track.
- It brings the world to their doorstep: Loneliness and isolation plague many in the elderly population. Smartphones and tablets allow them to interact with family and friends over long distances through video conferencing and social media. Technology will enable you to maintain better communication with your parent over long distances or even across town.
- It gives them peace of mind for their safety: If Mom is living alone, you may worry whether she is safe. There are affordable security cameras that you can set up around the outside and inside of the house that link to your phone. Each time the doorbell rings, you can see who is coming to your Mom’s home.
- It provides health reminders: Elderly adults often have to take many prescription medications. Instead of trying to remember when to take which pill, Dad can set a reminder on his phone or utilize a medication dispenser pre-set to the required times. If required, a personal support worker (PSW) from Home Instead can assist with medication management, too.
- Seniors have access to an incredible amount of information and entertainment: They can even read books or have the stories read to them through technology. Nowadays, you can find almost anything on the Internet. Does Dad want to watch an old movie? He can. Is Mom looking for tips on a new knitting stitch? She can find it at her fingertips.
- It offers shopping convenience: Seniors can use technology to purchase groceries, clothing, hobby supplies, and more. Anything they need can be bought with a few clicks and delivered to their doorstep.
Simple Technology plus Professional Caregiving for Seniors
Give your senior the best of both technology and in-home caregiving when you seek out the services from Home Instead Hamilton. Our trained home care workers support you and your family with various services tailored to your needs. Our many services include personal care assistance, cooking for seniors, light housekeeping, medication management, companionship, and even Alzheimer's care, all geared toward supporting your senior. We want to aid your loved one in remaining independent. To find out more, please contact us today.
Call us at (905) 521-5500 to schedule a no-obligation, in-home consultation. Learn more about the compassionate, quality senior care we deliver every day to families in Hamilton Mountain, Downtown Hamilton, Rosedale, Kings Forest, Binbrook, Meadowlands, Ancaster, and Dundas.