It's no secret that the vast majority of older Americans plan to age in place. Over the past few years, various surveys have found that approximately 90 percent of individuals over the age of 65 anticipate spending the rest of their lives in the comfort of their own homes. Few can deny, however, that as individuals get older, their mobility often diminishes and their houses will need to be changed in order to keep them safe.
At this year's annual meeting of the National Aging in Place Council (NAIPC), held earlier this month in Washington, D.C., senior care industry leaders discussed the disconnect between the wants of older Americans and what actually happens when they reach a certain age. While 90 percent want to age in place, many eventually move to nursing homes or assisted living centers.
Speakers at the meeting, including Dr. Allan Teel, a family physician from Maine, proposed that care providers become more serious about using digital tools to improve the well-being of older adults. He offered the example of the caregiving support program that he developed for the oldest residents of his hometown of Damariscotta.
"My patients were telling me, 'Don't you ever think of putting me in a nursing home,'" Dr. Teel said, as reported by Forbes. "But there were not very many options for these very fragile but very proud people."
With a combination of digital devices, family volunteers, and part-time paid caregivers, Dr. Teel was able to help his patients remain in their homes and ensure that they stayed safe. His program also reduced the number of daily hours necessary for personal care and supervision from 24 to two.
Like other eldercare advocates, Independa wants help seniors fulfill their desire to enjoy their lives in their own homes. With our Caregiver Web Application, family members can monitor their loved ones remotely, making sure they take their medications and attend appointments. Contact us through our online form to schedule a demo.
