Senior Living In Fort Worth, TX depends to a large extent on technology. Continuous innovations have not only increased one’s average lifespan, but have also made life more convenient and enjoyable in the following ways.
Wearable Gadgets
While wearable gadgets have been around for quite some time, advances in microchips and computational processing capacity have made them more powerful than ever before. In fact, a lot of the wearable gadgets today use processors that would have been considered supercomputers decades ago. For aging retirees, such devices can be used to track things like heart rate, calories, movements and location. Perhaps their most important feature is automated fall detection through the usage of sensors that can detect sudden changes in speed and altitude. If someone using it becomes unresponsive, it will immediately call for emergency assistance.
Artificial Intelligence
AI continues to progress at a startling rate. It has many applications, one of which is emotional and social support. Loneliness and isolation is a frequent occurrence among aging individuals, and if not addressed can compromise their health. While interaction with friends and family remains the most optimal solution, AI, robotics and virtual reality can bridge the gap by using sensors to help elders stay in touch with their relatives, engage in conversations and provide assistance with various household chores while also providing reminders about important events.
Medication Management
It isn’t unusual for someone over the age of 65 to be using multiple medications. Each has its own schedule and must be taken in the proper doses, and it can be easy to mix things up, which increases the chances of overdose. While organizers and pillboxes were popular in the past, technology has now introduced automatic pill dispensers. These devices are ten times more convenient and efficient, and are capable of dispensing specific medications at certain times.
Their schedule is fully customizable and many brands enable you to stack as much as a ninety day supply of pills in various sizes and shapes. Even better, many modern pill dispensers can connect to apps which may be downloaded onto the smartphone of caregivers, which will then track dosage, pill consumption and other key info. It can also transmit alerts when the supply becomes low and order prescription drugs which can be shipped to you directly.
Fall Prevention
One of the leading causes of injury and death among elders is slips and falls. However, a number of technological breakthroughs are being made to prevent it or quickly notify first responders when it happens. One of the best is monitoring systems with wearable head and hip devices that automatically deploy miniature airbags to prevent injury during a fall.
Security and Safety Devices
There are a number of tech tools which are designed to make environments safer and secure for elders, which include:
- Motion sensing illumination in each room entered
- Burner notifications for stovetops
- Automatic and adjustable toilet seats
- Elevator and electronic wheelchairs
There are also recorded voice systems which can remind those with dementia to do certain tasks, and there are various emergency and alarm buttons that are conveniently located to contact others during an emergency.
