New Technology For Seniors: How Sensor Technology And Home Care Providers Can Help The Elderly Stay

By Author: Erica Ronchetti
Total Articles: 739
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If your senior loved one lives alone, he or she may be in danger of falling. One woman, Bertha Branch is a 78-year-old senior living alone in Philadelphia. She fell one night, unfortunately not within reach of her alert pendant and was unable to phone for help. The wireless sensor installed under Ms. Branch’s bed detected that she had gotten up, and the motion detectors installed in her bathroom and bedroom registered that she had not left the area in her usual pattern—they related this information to a monitoring system, which prompted a call to her phone to inquire whether or not she was alright. When she did not answer the phone, more calls were placed to a neighbor, building manager, and finally to 911. Firefighters were dispatched to break in—Ms. Branch had been on the floor less than an hour before she was taken to the Emergency Room.


Technologies such as eNeighbor, the device which helped Ms. Branch are expensive and remain a largely unproven source of help. This technology can be utilized to increase at home safety, and can supplement the efforts of home care providers, especially if your ...
... loved one lives alone and is looking for an assisted living alternative. However, these technologies remain largely unproven and are rarely covered by private insurance plans.


These devices (including motion sensors) also include pill compliance detectors and other wireless devices that transmit data on oxygen, glucose levels, blood pressure, weight, should not be used as an alternative to a home care provider or face-to-face contact with doctors, family members, and nurses.


Ms. Branch’s story reveals the potential of these monitoring devices—they’re just another way to provide comfort and independence to an aging population that has the potential to outgrow the resources of hospitals, doctors, nurses, and health care dollars.


Monitoring devices and home care providers are invaluable for seniors, both physically and psychologically. They’re a good solution for elderly individuals who don’t want to be in an assisted living facility.


Drug compliance is another issue for elderly individuals, especially for those who suffer from memory loss—they may forget to take a pill or whether or not they are supposed to take a pill. Often times caregivers, namely daughters and sons must leave work several times a month to help out with medications and prescriptions. Meridian’s Jitterbug system can assist with administration of medication by calling after a person is scheduled to take a pill. The system asks of he or she has taken it, and if not, sends an alert to a primary caregiver.


Health monitoring systems do not absolve kin and caregivers of responsibility but they do encourage older folks to be personally responsible to track and report health. These technologies play a part in keeping loved ones safe and improving their quality of life.


Home care providers make it possible for older individuals to live independent lives and remain in the comfort and safety of their own home that holds a lifetime of memories, even despite diminished health or physical capabilities. Choose a flexible and compassionate home care provider to work with your elderly loved one and their family to come up with a safe, reliable, and tailored service to your loved one.

Erica Ronchetti is a freelance writer for Visiting Angels, the nation's leading, network of non-medical, private duty home care agencies providing senior care, elder care, personal care, respite care and companion care to help the elderly and adults continue to live in their homes across America. Visit the Visiting Angels senior care provider’s website to find out more information on elder care alternatives.