Ninety percent of older adults want to remain in their homes as they age. Falls are prevalent among adults 65 and older and are the leading cause of injury and injury deaths to aging adults. Annually, people report thirty-six million falls, resulting in more than 32,000 deaths. Therefore, safety is always a concern, and making adjustments to the house is vital. Of course, you can always hire professionals to come in, including caregivers, but that can be costly, especially once care increases. Fortunately, technology has improved, reducing care costs and allowing older adults to remain home. Plus, it is a lifeline for families unable to be with their loved ones 24/7.

How can innovative technology help older adults?

Smart home systems and artificial intelligence (AI) have unlocked many possibilities for assisting seniors. Voice and video-based technology allow older adults independence and the option to stay home. Individuals can use a smart home system to turn on and off lights, control the thermostat, shop, monitor their home, and answer the front door. People use technology to manage their calendars or interact with family and friends.

What smart home technology can one invest in?

• Amazon Echo Show
• Meta Portal
• Apple iPad devices

Can technology monitor adults’ health and wellness?

Yes! There are several mobile applications anyone can download. These applications can track people’s activities, monitor their vitals, and provide educational information about health and wellness. Furthermore, people can connect with other similar interest people. Apple Health, Google Fit, Samsung Health, My Fitness Pal, and Calm.com are popular apps.

Moreover, there are digital tools to assist individuals. An example is digital glucose meters that monitor a person’s glucose levels. These meters provide real-time health data and provide reminders to take medicine. Another example is blue tooth hearing aids which link to a person’s smartphone—allowing them to hear a caller.

What technology is available for high-risk older adults?

Technology is constantly growing, and more products are out there so that high-risk adults can age in place. Wearable devices can monitor physical activity, heart rate, sleep patterns, and stress levels. In addition, people can wear pendants to alert a company about falls and get help. There are GPS tracking devices, such as Caregiver GPS Tracker, for loved ones with dementia who tend to wander off or get lost easily. Another option is sensors that use AI and predictive analysis to monitor a person’s movement or fall. These sensors include a two-way speaker system to see if someone needs help. Again, allowing a person to stay in their home.

Can technology help reduce care costs?

Yes! It is expensive for older adults with health and mobility issues to pay for a private caregiver, especially for 24-hour care. In addition, people learned during COVID that senior housing home health aides and personal care aides have a 50% average turnover rate. With this high attrition, workers become fatigued and burned out, which leads to diminished performance. Innovative technology creates the opportunity to automate low-level tasks. Allowing senior housing caregivers more time to focus on a patient or provide virtual caregiving. Virtual caregiving reduces costs by assisting several clients remotely simultaneously. Furthermore, the benefits extend to aging adults by giving them a sense of privacy and independence.

Technology has come a long way. STAGES is here to educate people about this.