From smartwatches that track real-time health to smartphones that keep us connected, technology is making our lives convenient and enjoyable. However, for seniors, modern technology means a lot more than fun. Senior living technology is rapidly growing to make life easier for elderly residents, and it’s at the forefront of long-term care solutions.

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What This Article Covers:

• Types
• Benefits
• Next Steps

Types

Technology has various applications in senior living and long term care. And there are numerous types of technology out there to facilitate those applications.

Modern technologies such as real-time location systems and AI-enabled cameras help providers mitigate some of the serious challenges such as connectivity, infection and fall prevention in long-term care.

It’s possible you’re still operating with paper-based systems to document everything, including attendance, medication records and billing details. New digital solutions for engagement and communication can replace cumbersome methods, allowing your staff to spend more time taking care of residents.

Below are some of the prominent senior living technologies that are proving useful for medical professionals at care homes.

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IoT for Fitness Tracking, Security and Medication Management

IoT (Internet of Things) devices can receive and transmit data in real-time. In terms of senior living, IoT-enabled devices such as fitness trackers help medical professionals monitor real-time patient vitals remotely.

Mobile phones can also streamline everyday tasks for seniors. In old age, remembering medication schedules and appointments can be a burden. Mobile reminders keep patients informed about upcoming events and medication times.

Furthermore, seniors living alone can secure their homes with security cameras that connect to their mobile phones. They can get real-time feeds in the event of any suspicious activity, providing them with security measures with less need for mobility.

Voice-controlled Personal Assistant for Everyday Tasks

Today we have several voice–controlled assistants such as Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, Microsoft’s Cortana and more. These smart assistants are often powered by AI and can help with everyday tasks.

Seniors living alone or in assisted care homes can use these assistants to order groceries online, set reminders for appointments, turn on and off lights, play music, listen to e-books and more.

In the future, voice-controlled assistants will have more applications in long-term care spaces, and we can’t wait to see what magic it brings!

Virtual Reality for Improving Social Engagement

Virtual reality is also making its way into assisted care living. A boon for the health care sector in general, virtual reality helps older residents reduce social isolation and improve mental health.

As a senior living technology, virtual reality can conduct digital tours for new residents at a care facility, help organize different activities for social engagement and more. Medical professionals can continue to monitor patient health during events in case of emergencies.

You can customize virtual reality tours to cater to the exact requirements of residents. It can also help residents know the place better before moving in.

Mobile Applications for Health and Wellness

Mobile applications can aid senior citizens in a lot of ways. For starters, different health apps record blood pressure, heart rates and other necessary vitals. Thanks to the IoT, the apps can directly transmit data to clinics and keep doctors in the loop.

There’s a mobile app for everything today. Seniors who can’t leave their homes can order online groceries medicines and even ready-made food. In addition, apps with reminders work best for patients with mental health conditions, reminding them to take medicines on time.

Some of the popular health tracking apps on the market today are Apple Health, Google Fit, Samsung Health, MyFitnessPal, and Calm.com.

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Artificial Intelligence for Social Support

As we grow old, physical, emotional and social support becomes more important for our well-being. Older adults residing in senior living homes can easily fall prey to loneliness and social isolation.

It’s extremely important to keep them tethered with regular activities and support. It’s welcoming news as artificial intelligence enters the senior living technology arena. Coupled with robotics, it can provide tireless emotional support to residents.

Some examples of this are

• ElliQ: ElliQ, by Intution Robotics, enables seniors to set up calls with their families to stay connected to them. They can also exchange media with their loved ones and make them feel connected.
• Robotic Pets: Robotic pets, such as those by Joy for All, are for seniors who want a pet but can’t adopt one. Robotic pets are much like ‌live animals who respond to touch and pats. It can connect with humans in similar ways a dog or cat will.

Telehealth for Remote Care

Telehealth helps older residents connect with care providers through interactive video calls remotely. This enables them to receive care without having to leave the home. Telemedicine solutions are playing an active role in booking appointments online, making them a good choice for older patients.

With several services such as remote patient monitoring, video consultations and more, telehealth benefits are myriad in the senior living space.

The Internet for Connectivity

The invention of the internet was a game changer for technology and the world as we know it. Thanks to it, the entire world is connected through devices such as laptops and mobile phones.

In a senior home, the internet can play several important roles. For starters, mobile health applications can only provide important patient information to medical professionals through the internet. Telehealth services such as video calls require an internet connection as well.

It also opens up avenues for resident health monitoring and entertainment programs to reach residents and keep them engaged. The internet can also help conduct various social activities to strengthen resident bonds.

Motion Sensors for Monitoring Patients

To increase protection for the elderly residing in senior care facilities, organization leaders are quickly adopting top-of-the line motion sensors. These hardware and software combinations are specially designed to monitor patients’ physical condition and safety.

Motion sensors are non-intrusive devices that are usually placed in strategic locations in a house or room to detect minor changes in the surroundings. If you place a sensor in the living room and an elderly person falls down, it will trigger an alarm quickly to alert authorities.

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Primary Benefits

There are myriad benefits that technology provides in senior living communities and it’s essential to leverage the right technology for proper results. Providing internet connections to seniors can improve their lives to a large extent.

Similar to the internet other technologies can improve a senior’s quality of life. Let’s look at some of the key benefits.

• Health Education: Equipped with telehealth, many providers conduct seminars and educational video conferences to provide a better understanding of the care and activities in place at a senior living facility. It encourages seniors to learn about healthy lifestyles and follow them vigorously.
• Physical Wellness: Video games and physical games such as tennis and bowling get older adults to move and flex their muscles. During this, wearable software can continuously record vitals and send alerts to doctors in case of an emergency.
• Mental Wellness: Technology brings the world closer to residents. Through the internet and a laptop, they can engage in reading magazines, watching online videos, connecting with other people through text messengers or video calls, and more. This keeps them connected and can reduce the feeling of loneliness and anxiety.

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Next Steps

Improving assisted living spaces also means providing medical caregivers with modern, innovative senior living technology solutions. Every caregiver should go through a rigorous training phase to understand and operate each system correctly.

With newer technologies, caregivers can build smart communities where every resident feels connected. Care communities such as memory care, assisted living and independent living can provide more customized and effective care to residents.

Technology trends continue to grow and caregiving facilities are gearing up to adopt new technologies to meet the increasing demand for care. It can only be said that with time, more innovative software will enter the senior living space and change the landscape.

Looking for effective senior living technology and software? Check out our comparison report to get an in-depth understanding of the key players in the long-term care software field.

Which senior living technology excites you the most? Leave comments below.