While it can sometimes be challenging, more and more seniors are turning to technology to help them remain in their homes as they age.
“Certainly, nothing replaces the personal touch, but technology can help improve seniors’ lives and help them age a little more gracefully” said Austin Blilie, Chief Operating Officer at Trail Ridge Home Care’s parent organization, ABHM. “It can also give their families much needed peace of mind.”
A new U.S. News and World Report survey, shows an overwhelming majority of seniors (93%) consider aging in place an “important goal”. To accomplish that goal, about half (49%) are adopting assistive technologies at home.
According to the report, the top reasons why survey respondents have started using assistive or health-related technologies are:
- General aging
- Mobility impairment
- Hearing impairment
- Vision impairment
- Cognitive impairment
Those who participated in the survey said these devices are making it easier to age in place:
- Medical or health-related mobile apps
- Service related apps (food and grocery delivery)
- Wearable medical or health-related trackers
- Assistive smart home technologies
- Hearing assistance-related devices
- Medical alert system/devices
As for what matters most when using tech tools, the respondents said they must be:
- Easy to use
- Easy to set up
- Accessible via mobile apps
- Wireless
- Voice activated
“While they can be very helpful, we know some seniors are still not comfortable with new technologies. If you can’t be there to help your senior loved one navigate tech devices, our trained caregivers can help,” Blilie said. “We can help keep them connected with loved ones, shop and communicate with medical professionals – while keeping them safe from online scammers who want to take advantage of them.”
For more information about all of our services, visit TrailRidgeHomeCare.com