Look at your search bar. Does it say www up there? The worldwide web was invented in 1990. In the nearly thirty years since then, technological advancements have taken off at a rate that many of my close friends compare to the industrial revolution. Much like the industrial revolution, there is talk about how it harms us (though not nearly as much), and how beneficial it is, both now and in the future.
Technology has involved much more than just entertainment. It is used in work, education and more, including elderly healthcare.
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Physical wellness in our elders
It’s no secret that as we get older, our health starts to decline. The body has been fighting illness for a while now, and it’s not as strong as it used to be.
source:homecarebyseniors.com
The average life expectancy for those who have reached age 65 is slightly under 20 years. This number is just as average. The dots fall all over the map, making that estimate imperfect.
It may seem tough to keep up with all the health demands, but the world is always coming up with new inventions to help people lead an easier life. Until recently, the latest advancement in helping the elderly was the medical alert necklace. If someone felt unwell or injured themselves, a push of a button would send a signal to emergency services.
Now there is so much more available, and some of it is the technology you use every day. Smartwatches are a great example. Many brands make them, and they can do a variety of things, including:
- Heart rate
- Sleeping patterns
- Calories burnt
- Number of steps
- GPS tracking
In addition to this, a Stanford team has found that they can be used to predict the onset of things such as a cold. In addition, they are very user-friendly, which makes it one of the great ways to keep up with health statistics.
Safety and overall health
When we worry about our loved ones, we don’t just think about their physical wellbeing. Their safety is often also a considerable concern. The medical alert devices I mentioned earlier are great, but not everyone has them all the time.
source:homecarebyseniors.com
For example, my grandmother does not wear anything like this to work. My lives across the country, but we were staying with them to help because my grandfather was sick. One morning I was eating breakfast when I heard my grandmother scream. She was walking down the steps but had missed the last one resulting in her falling and hitting her head against the wall. She had also injured her back, and she couldn’t get up. Had we not been there, it might have been days before someone found her, since my grandfather was still in the hospital.
Things like this are terrifying to think about, and technology inventors agree. One of the newest pieces of technology entering the market soon is the Samsung bot care. This newest piece of technology can do everything from reading vitals to remotely monitor sleep. Home sleep monitoring can be used as a tool for early detection of any sleep issues. Sleep trackers have many benefits and if you would like to learn more about how it can be helpful for eldery care, you can check out this site.
The Samsung bot care can provide:
- Exercise/stretching guidance
- Medication tracking
- Sleep monitoring
- Vitals
- Calling emergency services if it senses a problem
Something like this is extremely useful and can be there when you can’t.
Mental wellness in the elderly
A trend that many consider alarming is the rise in mental health problems. Roughly 15% of the adult population worldwide suffer from mental problems. For half of that number, their problem is depression.
source:businessworld.in
The elderly are especially prone to this issue. Often, they can feel isolated, especially if the family lives far away. Now, technology helps bridge that gap.
Skype was invented in 2003, and this video call and usually the way I talk to some of my family. In addition to skype social media apps, such as Facebook and Instagram, are great for seeing what’s going on in someone’s everyday life if they post often. Even though they may not be a fix to true human contact, it can still bring loved ones closer.
Do the Elderly Really Avoid Technology?
source:livescience.com
It’s a popular stereotype that the elderly avoid technology. But how true is it? In the UK, a study found that roughly 41% of those who were 75 or older used the internet on a regular basis and over a quarter owned a tablet.
78% of those who are 65-72 use the internet daily, and 58% own a tablet. Despite what many believe, technology is not lost on the older generation. It’s becoming easier to use and understand every year.
Conclusion
There is so much technology involved in our everyday lives, and it seems that it can be used for everything. This includes helping those we love. Roughly 80% of the aging population wishes to stay in their home, and now there so many ways to help accomplish this.
