Aging in place can be a difficult process, but with the help of assistive technology, it can be made much easier. In this guide, we will discuss all of the different types of assistive durable medical equipment that are available to seniors who want to stay in their homes. We will also talk about how to choose the right type of technology for your needs, and how to use it effectively. So if you’re looking for ways to make aging in place easier, read on!
Assistive technology for seniors aging in place is an essential component of any senior’s home care plan. It provides seniors with the tools they need to remain independent and continue enjoying life at home for as long as possible.
Key Takeaways
- Assistive technology is any service or gadget that assists a person with a handicap in performing things that they would otherwise be unable to perform.
- The ability of assistive technology to improve communication skills is its primary value. This can be accomplished through a variety of means, including speech-generating instruments, communication boards, and computers.
- These technologies help persons with disabilities improve their quality of life and independence. They can be costly, but there are various ways to obtain them for free or at a low cost.
Everyday life for seniors can be made easier with assistance from smart technology, smart lighting, and memory aids being among the best assistive devices. Smart lighting solutions can help seniors navigate their homes more safely by illuminating dark hallways and staircases, reducing the risk of falls.
Memory aids are perfect for ensuring important tasks are completed correctly, like taking medications and making appointments. For those with hearing difficulties, various technologies such as a hearing aid ensure that seniors don’t miss out on pivotal conversations with loved ones or medical advice.
For those with poor vision, smart lighting systems, or products that magnify text and images on computer screens can help maintain independence and provide peace of mind.
Assistive technology offers elderly people the tools to age comfortably at home with limited inconvenience surrounding daily tasks while providing an extra layer of safety they may otherwise lack.
What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive technology is an amazing tool that allows people with disabilities to do things they may not be able to do without it. From an assistive device like canes and magnifying glasses to more sophisticated technologies like home automation systems and mobility scooters, assistive technology is helping countless individuals live more independently while still being able to do the activities they enjoy. It’s important that we recognize how assistive technology has opened up a lot of opportunities for people with disabilities, as it has vastly improved their quality of life.
The elderly population is growing and will continue to do so in the coming years. There are many reasons why older people may find it difficult to live independently. Some of these include loss of vision, hearing, or mobility.
They are also at risk of falling victim to medical emergencies, as well as being unable to perform basic activities such as cooking or housekeeping due to physical limitations. Fortunately, there is assistive technology for aging in place that can help seniors maintain their independence and quality of life.
Not only does AT (Assistive Technology) help seniors improve their quality of life, but it also helps them avoid situations where they might have to rely on others for help. This can lead to less stress and fewer conflicts between family members and friends who may not always agree on what kind of assistance each needs or wants.
Benefits of Assistive Technology
Assistive technology can help people with disabilities achieve greater independence and improve their lives. People may use assistive technology to help them perform day-to-day tasks, such as bathing, eating, dressing, or driving. Assistive technology also includes devices that allow people with disabilities to communicate more effectively with others.
Here are five benefits of using assistive technology:
Reduce isolation
An Assistive device can be a great addition to anybody’s life. Not only does it help improve their quality of life, but an assistive device also reduces isolation and keeps users in contact with family, friends, and the community. Technology makes it easier for everybody to stay connected and an assistive device allow people who may not have been previously able to experience this kind of communication a chance to do so. \What is even more fantastic about an assistive devices is that they come in many different forms to suit anyone’s needs – from speaking aids to mobility assistive tools, the devices assistive devices make sure everyone stays connected!
smart devices are a miracle for people who have lost independence due to injury or age-related disabilities. They enable those individuals to do things again that they may never think possible. For example, assistive smart devices can assist people with mobility issues to navigate stairs safely and even allow them to drive a car again. For elderly persons who have become visually or hearing impaired assistive devices can provide access to communication, such as medical alert systems and braille keyboards. These assistive smart devices have changed countless lives and improved their overall quality of life dramatically!
Improve communication
Assistive technology has come a long way over the years and has helped to meet the needs of people with disabilities in their daily lives. Its use is increasing as more people become aware of the many benefits smart devices can provide. These devices not only help with communication, such as through speech-generating devices, communication boards, or computers, but they make everyday activities easier for those with physical impairments or sensory limitations.
For instance, voice-activated assistive devices can allow wheelchair users to type without having to move around their chairs too much – making life a bit easier. Assistive technology has revolutionized how people with disabilities will live and grow in society!
Boost independence and productivity
We have found that mobility is a big issue for those with disabilities and they are often unable to perform daily tasks independently. Mobility aids can assist in getting around safely and efficiently by providing support, stability, and balance.
The same can be said for other disabilities such as vision loss or hearing loss. Assistive technology can help people with these disabilities perform daily tasks independently as well as increase their quality of life by giving them more freedom to do what they want to do when they want to do it.
Improve health and wellness
The use of assistive technology is a great way to improve your overall quality of life.
The use of assistive technologies can help people with disabilities maintain their independence, which leads to better mental health outcomes. In addition, many assistive technologies have been shown to improve physical health outcomes as well. For example, when wheelchair users are given access to their own transportation, they are less likely to experience depression than those who do not have access to their transportation.
Increase the quality of life
In our society, more and more people are choosing to live longer in their own homes. This is a great benefit for everyone, but it also presents challenges for senior citizens and their families. The physical and mental abilities of older adults decline with age, which can make it difficult for them to do everyday tasks without assistance. That’s where assistive technology comes in.
Assistive technology helps people with disabilities remain independent by making everyday tasks easier or safer to perform. It also helps increase the quality of life by allowing individuals to stay connected with friends and family members as they age.
Different Kinds of Assistive Technology Devices
Here are some of the different kinds of assistive devices:
Alarms
Alarms are a great way to help the elderly stay safe at home. They can be used for medical alert systems if they fall or are in any kind of danger. Alarms that sense if someone has fallen and then call for help can be a lifesaver for older adults. The device should be placed near the bed or in the bathroom so that it will be able to detect when the person is on the ground. These alarms, also called fall detection can also be used to alert family members if an elderly loved one has fallen and needs assistance getting up.
Telecare Systems
Telecare systems are a type of assistive technology that helps the elderly live independently. These systems help with everyday tasks like taking medicine, monitoring heart rate and blood pressure, and more. Telecare systems can include:
Remote Monitoring Systems
These assistive devices use wireless technology to monitor your loved one’s health remotely. A health monitoring system is like medical alert systems if your loved one takes too much medication or has an abnormal heart rate or breathing pattern. You can also use these systems to check on your loved one’s location to make sure they’re safe in their home.
Voice-Activated Systems
These assistive devices allow you to control lights and have smart lighting, temperature, and other functions in your home by speaking commands into a speakerphone device. Voice-activated systems are often used for older adults who aren’t able to operate standard controls due to cognitive impairment. This kind of technology is also helpful for people with limited mobility or those who have difficulty reaching physical switches or buttons due to arthritis or weakness from stroke or other conditions that affect mobility and dexterity
GPS Trackers
GPS trackers are one of the best ways to keep tabs on a loved one who may have dementia or Alzheimer’s. These assistive devices can be attached to a person’s clothing or worn as a watch, bracelet or necklace. The device sends out an alert if it detects that the user is moving away from a predetermined area.
Home Safety and Security
Home-bound older adults need to have basic safety features in place, especially if they live alone and there is no one to check in on them during the day. Some of these assistive devices can also help caregivers keep track of their loved ones’ movements around the house.
Memory Aids
As we grow older, memory and cognitive skills can begin to decline. Aging memory can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks such as shopping for groceries or remembering where you parked your car. Many elderly people have difficulty with their short-term memory and may experience issues with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Reminders
Medication Reminders or Reminders Themselves are a type of alert system that helps users remember important dates or daily routines such as taking medications at certain times each day or going to doctor appointments on a regular basis.
Many smartphones have reminder apps that allow users to set alarms for specific dates or times so they’ll be reminded when something needs to be done. Other types of reminders include smartwatches and activity trackers, which can remind older adults when it’s time for them to take medication or exercise based on their daily routines
Communication Aids
For the elderly, communication can be difficult. If you have trouble communicating, consider using a communication aid. There are many different kinds of communication assistive devices available on the market today, including:
Personal Emergency Response Systems
Personal emergency response systems (PERS) are devices that allow elderly people (or others with special needs) to summon help at the touch of a button. The system consists of two parts: a base station, which the user wears around his or her neck, and a pendant, which the user wears around his or her wrist.
When the wearer presses the PERS button, the base unit sends out an emergency signal to a monitoring center, which then contacts emergency assistance or another designated person. The monitoring center can also record any sounds made by the wearer during the incident and send them to medical professionals for evaluation.
Dictation devices
These assistive devices record your voice and send it to someone else via email or text message. This is great for those who have difficulty speaking or who need to communicate quickly with others.
Talking clocks
These clocks speak the time when you press a button on them. They can be especially helpful for those who have trouble reading clocks or who don’t want to wake other people in the house by turning on lights in the middle of the night.
Talking thermometers
These thermometers speak the temperature back to you when you press a button on them so that you can tell if you have a fever or not.
Talking pill organizers
These organizers help older adults remember when they need to take their medications by speaking reminders out loud at scheduled times during each day (such as 8 am, noon, 4 pm, etc.).
Screen Readers & Visual Aids
Screen readers are used to reading text aloud and sometimes converting text into braille. This is useful for people who are blind or have low vision and cannot see the screen. Some screen readers also allow you to magnify parts of the screen, which is useful if your vision is too poor to read the small print on a computer screen.
Other Assistive technologies (Low-Tech)
Found below are other assistive technologies that you can use:
Grab bars
These bars can be placed in strategic locations around the house, such as in the bathroom or near the bed, to help seniors get around safely.
Temperature-activated flow reducer
This device is placed on the shower head and helps regulate the water flow and temperature to prevent scalding.
Grabbers
These assistive devices are long-handled tools that can be used to reach things that are out of arm’s reach, such as items on high shelves or in hard-to-reach places.
Shower seats
These seats can be placed in the shower so that seniors can sit down while they bathe, which can help prevent falls.
Bathroom safety rails
These devices can be placed next to the toilet or in the shower to provide support and stability for seniors who have trouble standing up or sitting down.
Lever handles
These handles can be placed on doors and faucets to make them easier to use for those with arthritis or other conditions that cause pain in the hands.
Slip-resistant flooring
This type of flooring can help prevent falls by providing a more stable surface to walk on.
Telephones
There are many different types of phones available that can make it easier for seniors to communicate with others. Some phones have large buttons and display numbers in large font, while others have features such as speed dialing and voice-activated dialing to make it easier to place calls.
Help in Getting Assistive Technology
Assistive technology is available from many sources, including:
Manufacturers
There are many companies that specialize in assistive technology devices. You can find a list of manufacturers by searching for “assistive technology” on the internet.
Rehabilitation Centers
If you or someone you know has a disability, there are rehabilitation centers that can help you find the right assistive technology devices for your needs.
Independent Living Centers
Independent living centers (ILCs) are organizations that help people with disabilities live independently. ILCs typically have a store where you can try out and purchase assistive technology devices.
Don’t forget, that many of these products may also be available through your local pharmacy or medical supply store.
There are many resources available to help you find the right assistive technology devices for your needs. Be sure to explore all of your options before making a purchase. And, if you’re not sure where to start, ask your doctor or another healthcare professional for recommendations.
Using Funds from Reverse Mortgage for Assistive Technology
You can use your reverse mortgage funds to pay for assistive technology, such as hearing aids, wheelchairs, and walkers.
Additionally, your local government may give you some types of helpful technology for free. Local councils’ main goal with social care is to help older people stay independent and at home for as long as possible. Assistive technology can be a cheap way to help with this, and it can often get rid of the need for a full-time caregiver.
Assistive technology can be a cheap way to help with this, and it can often get rid of the need for a full-time caregiver.
For you to get financial help from your local council, you will have to go through care needs assessment. This will determine if you are eligible for help, what can be done to help, and how much help the council can give.
If you’re a senior citizen who wishes to age in place, there are many types of assistive technology that can help you live independently. Some of this technology is available for free from your local government, while other devices may need to be purchased.
Ethical Considerations with Assistive Technology for the Elderly
When looking into assistive technology for an elderly loved one, it’s important to consider the ethical implications of using such devices. While most assistive technology is designed to help seniors age in place safely and independently, there are some potential privacy concerns that should be considered.
Some types of assistive technology, like motion sensors and smart doorbells, record video and store data. This can be unsettling for some people, especially if they are not aware that the devices are recording. It’s important to make sure that your loved one is comfortable with any type of assistive technology that is being used and that their privacy is being respected.
Another ethical consideration is how the data collected by assistive technology is used. Some companies may sell or use the data for marketing purposes. It’s important to make sure that your loved one is comfortable with how their data will be used before agreeing to use any type of assistive technology.
When it comes to assistive devices, there are several other things you should ask, such as whether they complicate the thing they’re meant to simplify for your elderly family member and whether they decrease social contact that your loved one enjoys. For example, getting a digital pill dispenser may mean your parent sees a social care worker less or putting together a telecare package may save an older person time and money on welfare visits from friends.
There are a lot of factors to consider when selecting assistive technology, but when it is implemented correctly, it may really assist older people in making their lives simpler and allowing them to age in place safely and independently. However, it’s important to consider the ethical implications of using such devices before making a decision.
Overall, Assistive technology devices can have significant improvements and impacts on the lives of seniors. These devices are used to improve the quality of life and independence of people with disabilities. They can be expensive, but there are several ways to get them for free or at a reduced cost.
Conclusion
If you’re a senior who wants to stay in your home as you age, or if you’re a caregiver for someone who is, there are many assistive technology on the market that can make life easier. This guide provides an overview of some of the most popular and useful gadgets currently available.
I hope it helps you find the right device(s) to allow you or your loved one to age in place with as much independence and comfort as possible. Have questions? Call me today for a free consultation. I would be happy to help!
