Given the decreasing number of available caregivers, technology is much needed to help maintain older people’s health and independence. Despite the misbelief that older people are not so much into technology and gadgets, 45% of the elderly use the internet at least once a week, according to Eurostat.
As the senior population increases and becomes more digitally connected, IoT solutions provide interactive care-giving that promotes physical, mental, social and emotional well-being and enable seniors to live independently. Let’s see how in the following.
Safe active life
With 32% of the elderly living alone, and 49% traveling alone, bringing IoT solutions into their lives increases their safety and provides peace of mind for the families. Whether it is in the form of connected cars, wearables or smart home systems, the Internet-of-Things provides an increasing number of ways for seniors to stay active, independent and safe for longer.
Wearables like smart watches or bracelets designed for the elderly are usually waterproof so individuals are safe even when showering or exercising in pools.
For seniors suffering from memory loss, IoT solutions incorporate GPS technology which allows locating the individual and providing directions.
Smart homes for seniors’ independent lives
Loved ones always worry when they have to leave a senior alone at home. Persons with mobility challenges or diminished memory are particularly at high risks of accidents. There are home systems that monitor movement. Such systems are effective for aging persons with mobility such as those who have arthritis. With the disease being the number one cause of disability in the U.S., arthritis care has become a fundamental part of elder care. IoT allows seniors to live a better quality of life even with some kind of disability.
IoT helps reduce the risk of home accidents for seniors by allowing the connection of different appliances and system to the internet. The internet of things is what makes it possible for an individual to turn on devices without moving from one part of the house to another. Such conveniences minimize the risk of falling down staircases or tripping on wet floors and make it less challenging for seniors to live alone.
Peace of mind for connected families
A recent Consumer Technology Association survey shows that 70% of people caring for elderly relatives worry about them forgetting to take medications, while accidents are a concern for 60% of the same caregivers.
But living alone is not the same with being alone. Despite distances or other factors, families can stay connected and aging individuals can feel cared for by their loved ones by using integrated solutions driven by IoT and cloud technologies. The Internet of Things has changed how seniors communicate with the people in their lives. It’s not just video call features in the mobile devices that allow people to stay in touch. IoT based devices gives seniors the possibility to contact the care giver or an emergency-services dispatcher through the touchscreen interface or voice activation.
Remote medical monitoring
A rise in the senior population increases the pressure on the health and medical systems to provide the necessary care. The Internet of Things is the solution to decrease the resulting costs while boosting the quality of medical services. Using IoT solutions, medical staff has the possibility to monitor their patients remotely and detect health problems before they escalate.
Digitalization of the healthcare industry ensures quality medical services for the elderly. By integrating devices with cloud technologies, which is what the IoT actually does, it is easy for practitioners to offer personalized care to seniors. The Cloud-IoT team facilitate communication among different systems: senior care professionals can retrieve data from various devices connected to the cloud. Such data is displayed in ways that help professionals understand individual patterns, make assessments of daily living and make medical decisions suitable for their patients. In a case of any deviation, healthcare or family members can be alerted.
For instance, a doctor can see the progress of a patient by accessing the data collected by a heart monitoring device, such as a smart watch, without leaving the office. In the same way, the medical staff or caregivers can check oxygen levels, blood sugar, or heart rhythms any time of day, and spot when something is wrong without waiting for the patient to call for help.
IoT-based applications collecting such data are usually equipped with personalized alarms which makes things even easier, serving as discreet medication reminders.
Nestore – Companion for the elderly
Communication is particularly important for senior individuals. Whether they can leave their homes or not, they can catch up with friends and check in with relatives. NESTORE is a digital companion and coach able to understand seniors’ needs, preferences and moods. It proposes customized activities and services based on seniors’ personality, environment and health status.
Conclusions
The potential is limitless when it comes to improving aged care using IoT solutions. With the help of connected gadgets, senior individuals can live comfortably at home or travel safely. On the other hand, the Internet-of-Things enhances the medical care standards for the aging population.
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