It would be hard to deny that technology is changing everything, right? With the touch of a smart phone, we can order groceries, electronics, the latest television shows—even track the number of steps we walk each day. As every year passes by, it seems technology is rapidly changing as well as changing with us. Since it affects all facets of life, have you ever stopped to think how it could impact caregiving?
Let’s examine some primary ways in which technology will affect the caregiving industry and caregivers as a whole.
Remote monitoring. This is a big change, but a very welcome one for seniors who continue to remain in the comfort of their own home. Technology will thankfully advance to where heart monitors, blood pressure monitors and scales will be connected from a patient’s home to the doctor’s office to retrieve daily vitals signs. This can cut down on frequent trips to the doctor’s office, reducing overall costs. Additionally, safety monitors can help the elderly throughout the day, whether it’s to remind them to take their medication on time or alert help if they have a fall.
Hearing aids. While hearing aids are nothing new, the hearing aids of tomorrow will have GPS location tracking chips as well as longer lasting and rechargeable batteries. While a smart phone isn’t totally necessary to work a hearing aid, one can certainly help, especially in personalizing settings such as volume and sound amplification.
Robots. Okay, this may sound like something from wayyy too far into the future, but believe it or not, robots will be of great assistance when it comes to home care. Robots will be able to help patients get in and out of the bathtub and shower, as well as assist in video chatting with doctors and nurses. Not too crazy about having a robot in your home? How about having one drive your car? Yes, driver-less cars are coming sooner than we think and can be a great help in getting the elderly off the road to avoid accidents.
While many of these advancements may seem far off, they are in the works as we speak and will become integrated into people’s daily lives. In the end, this technology is intended to advance the lives of the aging and contribute to their overall quality of care.