Picture a long, sterile hallway. Your room—small, with only a bed and chair, along with white walls and a cold, tile floor—sits just off that hallway. You eat at a certain time, not of your choosing, you don’t like the food when you do get it, and you have access to only the most simple activities and entertainment.
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It wasn’t so long ago that this picture represented life in a typical senior living community, but with the recent movement toward patient-centered care, that’s rapidly changing. In many of today’s communities, residents are greeted with warm, inviting homelike environments. Even in rehabilitation centers medical equipment is usually not kept out in the open. Residents dine on an array of delicious food when they want, in a number of appealing venues, and they’re entertained with a variety of intellectually stimulating activities. Most importantly, they have choices and control over the day-to-day decisions that affect their lives.
Both in senior communities and in the homes of individual seniors, technology is playing a critical role in shifting away from the traditional 1960s hospital-style model of care, toward a kinder, gentler, more personalized approach. In three significant ways, digital health technology is changing eldercare for the better.
Day-to-day Health Monitoring
A constant stream of new high-tech gadgets and apps is helping seniors stay healthy, and monitor important vital signs. Digital thermometers, blood-pressure monitors, and fitness trackers, like Fitbit, analyze a range of health markers, including movement and sleep quality.
Comprehensive systems like Independa™ go even further. The system and its friendly interface, known as Angela, work together to easily connect caregivers and the people they care for. Caregivers use an fully integrated caregiver dashboard—accessible on the web or through a mobile app—which gives adult children and others, access to a range of health information about their loved ones.
Access to Medical Providers
More and more often, seeing a doctor no longer involves actually “seeing” him or her in person. Digital health care is clearly the wave of the future, with venture capital investments in medical-tech providers booming. Easier access to medical care will continue to allow more seniors to choose to remain in their own homes as they age.
Healthy Social Connections
For anyone with limited mobility, the Internet and constantly advancing technology have opened up a new world of social connections and intellectual stimulation. From social media to online learning, multiple channels now exist for seniors to stay connected and engaged. One of those is Independa™, which allows seniors to stay in touch with loved ones and friends, from the comfort of their favorite chair.
A New Day in Eldercare
Rapidly advancing digital health technology is bringing the benefits of the patient-centered care movement to both senior living communities, and to seniors who choose to remain in their own homes. As innovative technology continues to advance, seniors will have more freedom and choice in their care options.
