I have to admit, I was historically not the biggest supporter of new technologies. Every time I hear about some new innovation to “make life easier,” I roll my eyes in disdain. Do they really make life easier? Or do they just inspire frustration and cause elevated stress levels when they fail to work properly? Maybe my feelings were just simply rooted in the trauma of living through the inception of the “electronic health record” which overall made nothing easier and just complicated the practice of medicine altogether. Regardless of the reasons, I was firm in my beliefs.
And then I met Ed (name has obviously been changed). Ed was a 60 year old long term care patient with ALS–a debilitating neurodegenerative disease that slowly strips you of mobility and muscle control while your cognitive faculties remain completely intact. It’s terrible. Over a span of 3 years, I watched Ed go from a motorized wheelchair to fully bed bound, unable to drink from a straw without assistance. The disease stripped him of all his power and rendered him helpless (and understandably grouchy). He had no control over anything in his environment. That is, until someone bought him an Alexa. With Alexa, he was able to dim his lights, turn on his music, and adjust the volume and channels on his television. It essentially gave him an inkling of control over how he experienced life in his room. Ed passed away in 2021, but watching him live within his world helped to shift my perspective on advanced technologies just a little bit.
I now recognize that some of the newer technologies on the market are beneficial to certain populations–senior citizens and physically disabled individuals being two of those populations. As systems utilizing artificial intelligence become more sophisticated, it opens up an opportunity whereby we can make the option of “aging in place” more accessible to a greater number of individuals.
So often we discuss physical modifications seniors can make within their homes to make it safer–get rid of throw rugs, install bright lighting, move necessary items off tall shelves, outlaw step stools, and install grab bars in the bathrooms. Those modifications are extremely important, but what if we could add an extra layer of convenience? Minute to minute changes that are made automatically, and when needed, to readjust the environment for optimal safety. After much consideration, here is a list of 5 technologies that may be able to do just that. I also included examples of easily ordered items on Amazon if you are considering purchasing one of these technologies. I have attempted to find items that are reasonably priced and have outstanding reviews. My goal is to keep you all as safe as possible at home for as long as possible! For full disclosure purposes, if an item is bought through an associated link in this blog, I do receive a commission as an Amazon affiliate.
Smart Pill Dispensers:
These devices are designed to help seniors manage their medication schedules. They dispense the correct pills at the right times and often come with features like alarms and notifications to remind seniors to take their medications. Check out the the Med-E-Lert Medication Dispenser on Amazon.com by clicking on the link below. This particular pill dispenser is equipped with 28 pill pockets with dispensation capacity for up to four times per day with associated programmable alarms. This is an excellent way to simplify medication management and eliminate the associated anxiety! https://amzn.to/42Ow9zL
Medical Alert Systems:
Medical alert systems, including wearable devices and home-based units, can quickly connect seniors to emergency services in case of a fall or other medical emergencies. These systems often include features like fall detection and GPS tracking for individuals that may wander! These systems are pivotal in allowing seniors to age in place and maintain appropriate independence. The link found below will bring you to the ADT medic alert system page on amazon where there are a few options for products for medical alert systems. Some include a home base along with a pendant or watch. Unfortunately there were not a lot of reviews attached to each product, however ADT is a company that has been around for decades providing home security services, so they are also likely as reputable when it comes to medical alert devices. Here is the link to their amazon page: https://amzn.to/3Idvpum
Voice-Activated Assistants:
Voice-activated assistants like Amazon’s Alexa can be used to control smart home devices, set reminders, make calls, and provide entertainment. They can be particularly helpful for seniors with limited mobility, allowing them to control various aspects of their environment through voice commands, such as setting timers, thermostats, turning on and off lights, tv, music, etc. There are quite a few versions of these systems, but I have attached a link to the Amazon Echo Show 10. It is a bit pricey, however seems to be the “biggest bang for your buck” and has an excellent rating with over 47,000 reviews and more than 200 bought in the last month. So here is the link: https://amzn.to/4bWVz2j
Smart Home Security Systems:
Products like smart doorbell cameras, motion sensors, and smart locks can enhance home security. These devices often allow remote monitoring and notifications, providing an extra layer of safety. One popular choice is The Ring Doorbell Plus, which can be synced to your Alexa devices. There have been over 10,000 of these sold within the last month and the item has a 4.5 star rating with over 4000 reviews. Here is the link to the Ring Doorbell Plus on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Ig8A9p
Smart Lighting:
Smart lighting solutions with motion sensors can help prevent accidents by automatically turning on lights when someone enters a room or moves around the house. This reduces the risk of tripping or falling in poorly lit areas. Check out the Kasa Smart Motion Sensor Wi-Fi Light Switch which is compatible with Alexa devices. Not only can these be controlled by voice activation, they have motion sensor capability which is important for those nighttime trips to the bathroom! This item is rated 4.5/5 with almost 3000 ratings and more than 1000 purchased in the last month. Follow the link to check out this item: https://amzn.to/3PshGUL
So there we have it, a list of 5 devices that can make remaining independent in your home possible at an advanced age. Setting these systems up early and before you or your loved one truly needs them will provide individuals with the time to learn how to use them and create seamless transitions through every stage of aging. Perhaps with these innovations we can truly embrace and support the concept of “aging in place.” So check out these items and let me know how they work out for you or your loved one! Find me on Facebook or shoot me a message through the Contact page.
Stay healthy, stay home–stay empowered!
