Recent developments in technology have been all about making life easier for all age groups. Given this pretext, it’s no surprise that a number of tech-driven solutions have emerged to help seniors age-in-place, and enjoy their golden years with relative independence. From food delivery services to tile stickers, security doorbells, and easy-to-use smart home and communication devices, there’s a lot one can use to improve socialization, safety, and accessibility as one ages.
Tablets
Many brands manufacture easy-to-use smart tablets specifically for seniors. One of the most popular ones today is the GrandPad, which comes with built-in wireless data and can be used to play games, communicate with friends and family, listen to music, and more. This smart tablet also offers protection against spam callers and scams, unlimited access to a support team, a stylus pen for easier typing, and one to three days of battery life, making it more convenient to use.
To use this tablet, one needs to purchase a comprehensive subscription service from the brand, which includes insurance, an Internet connection, and a private cloud or family network. It requires no modem set up or passwords, so seniors can use the tablet without any fuss!
Smart lamps
Falling can pose a major safety hazard to seniors. To mitigate this risk, it is advisable to invest in smart lights, such as the NOBI smart lamp. This AI-powered lamp uses advanced motion-monitoring technology to ensure that one has the right amount of light wherever one goes. This smart system is also capable of detecting falls and monitoring vital signs to provide preventative care to seniors.
Smart tags
Everyone is prone to forgetting things once in a while, but this risk significantly increases with age. To help seniors keep track of their belongings, tagging devices like Tile Stickers can be quite useful. These can be stuck to everyday items like remotes, wallets, keys, etc. To find these items, all one needs to do is head to the associated app on their phone. While the free version is sufficient for some, those looking for a 400-ft range may benefit from purchasing the Pro version.
Alternatively, one can also invest in smart tags offered by Apple, Samsung, and other leading tech companies to keep track of one’s prized possessions.
Home security system
For seniors who live alone, smart security systems can be an effective way to bolster safety within the home. According to some statistics, homes with installed security systems are around 80% less likely to be broken into, acting as an active deterrent to burglars and thieves.
While home security systems can be of various types, most leading providers offer services and features such as smart locks, glass break sensors, security cameras, motion detection, environmental monitoring, video doorbell cameras, and a mobile app with live alerts. To make this system more effective, one can also opt for professional monitoring around the clock.
Popular security system providers around the country include Vivint, SimpliSafe, Protect America, and FrontPoint.
Fitness tracker
Fitness trackers have become one of the most popular accessories of late. Not only do they monitor vitals throughout the day, but many modern variants also have life-saving features, including fall detection, which can go a long way in ensuring safety for the elderly. The Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 4 top this list of smart fitness trackers and watches, with the Fitbit Versa 3 and the Samsung Watch6 trailing close.
Digital care companion
While AI may be more popularly seen in use among the younger generations, there have been a lot of developments to benefit seniors too. One of the most notable offerings here is digital care companions that help older adults deal with loneliness. The ElliQ Digital Care Companion is a winning example of such technology. This device is capable of starting conversations without a prompt and even suggests activities to keep seniors engaged.
GPS smart sole
Concerned family members can rest assured with devices like smart soles – a GPS device that is sealed inside the shoe’s insole to send location information using the GTX Corp Monitoring System. With this setup, caregivers receive text and email updates regarding the wearer’s last location, ensuring proper safety at all times of the day.
Smart garden
Hobbies like gardening are a great way to help seniors keep their minds sharp. If heading out to the lawn is not feasible, consider investing in a smart garden, such as those offered by Click and Grow. These sets come with a planter base featuring a water reservoir, a small light bulb for the plants, and basil starter pods to help seniors get started with their indoor herb garden!
Apart from these major tech products, there have also been a ton of other smaller innovations to help seniors live a little more independently. Most notably, these include dressing sticks, extended zipper pulls, button hooks, pull-on clothing, elastic lace shoes, electric blankets and mattress pads, anti-tremor cutlery, robot vacuum cleaners such as Roombas, seat lifters, key turners, etc. While many of these innovations have made it into senior’s daily lives, others are still quite obscure. Learning more about them and introducing them to one’s life can go a long way in improving a senior’s quality of life.
