Alzheimer's disease, the most prevalent form of dementia, currently affects one in eight older adults, and has already been deemed "the defining disease of the Baby Boomer generation" by the Alzheimer's Association. Given that 280,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 every month, it's clear that care managers and their personnel must find ways to accommodate the needs of care recipients with this condition.
Introducing telecare services such as remote monitoring and medical reminders can undoubtedly assist in this event, allowing care managers to keep track of care recipients and provide important prompts for those whose memory may be faltering. And, based on a large-scale French study on dementia, there may be yet another benefit of this senior living technology.
The Associated Press reports that new research conducted by the French health research agency INSERM has revealed that older adults who delay retirement may have a lower risk of developing dementia. INSERM scientist and study leader Carole Dufouil specified that the likelihood of experiencing this form of cognitive decline fell by approximately 3 percent for each additional year of employment.
These findings were based on the analysis of 429,000 French citizens' health records. The participants were primarily retired older adults with an average age of 74.
Where does telecare come in?
Researchers have speculated that it isn't necessarily work itself that is responsible for this result, but the continual stimulation and engagement that regular employment involves.
"It's more staying cognitively active, staying socially active, continue to be engaged in whatever it is that's enjoyable to you," Alzheimer's Association director of medical and scientific operations Heather Snyder told the media outlet.
Independa's innovative senior living and home care technology is not only designed to streamline care management workflow – it is also equipped with tools to improve care recipient quality of life by providing mental stimulation and facilitating social engagement.
Older adults have access to brain teasers and memory-enhancing family photos via the Angela interface, and can also contact caregivers and loved ones instantly and easily using Facebook, video chat and email. The Angela interface also includes social calendars to keep older adults in residential communities informed of upcoming events. All of these functions and more can be accessed easily through an LG television.
To learn more about how Independa's best-of-breed eldercare solutions can help promote quality of life among your care recipients, contact us today through our online form.
