Today’s older adults are overrun with a plethora of hi-tech products directed at improving their independence and safety and providing life enhancement. At the touch of a button or two, we can automatically pay a visit “in person” with friends and relatives through Skype, wear a pendant that responds with emergency help and support when necessary, and even remain safe from wandering with specialized sensors attached to clothes or shoes.
The problem becomes how to motivate older individuals (and those who care for them) to switch from a low-tech mindset to investigating the latest elderly care technology, something that’s always top of mind for us at CareFor. A recent Caring.com survey showed that as few as 15% of families caring for elderly loved ones are actually using technology.
Some typical hurdles:
- Stigma. Many people see the use of certain technology, like medical alert pendants, as a loss of their self-reliance.
- Requiring help. Problem-solving with technology causes many older adults and their caregivers to quit attempting to get devices to work.
- Time. Setting aside time to learn and try something new is very challenging for busy families who care for their loved ones.
If you’re willing to try to incorporate medical technology into senior caregiving but are facing these complications, call on CareFor for assistance. Our proficient and patient care professionals can help overcome the technological barriers by:
- Making recommendations for technology that suits a senior’s personality and challenges
- Setting up and providing education on how to use the technology
Whether it is teaching someone how to enjoy apps on a tablet, or setting up a personal medical alert system, we can keep seniors connected to family and friends and help them enjoy life to the fullest. Contact us any time at (512) 338-4533 to learn more about the senior home care services Austin, TX families have trusted for more than 20 years. For a full list of all of the communities we serve, please visit our Service Area page.