Senior care has improved substantially over the last few years. Advances in technology have allowed seniors to live more active lives independently of caregivers. Software advances such as automated shift-filling software have made the management of care simpler as well.
Naturally, help is merely a press of the button away, providing seniors and those that love them with peace of mind. Instead of seniors facing the indignity of being watched 24/7, they may now manage their care more independently.
In this post, we’ll look at how technology, like automated shift-filling software, is currently improving the quality of senior care.
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Better Home Management and Monitoring
Some seniors are still able to live at home. The primary concern for their family members is how well they do when no one else is there. In the past, you had to take the patient at their word or employ a full-time care provider.
This person would ensure that the patient was eating correctly and taking their medication. They would also check in to make sure the individual is well and that they hadn’t hurt themselves.
Hiring a 24/7 caregiver is effective, but seniors may see it as an invasion of their privacy. Today we have technology that allows us to monitor the conditions remotely.
Sensors on the refrigerator and bathroom doors monitor how many times the patient opens them. Intelligent devices, such as microwaves, are accessible through Home Hub systems like Nest. Concerned family members may monitor how many times the device was used and other conditions like the temperature in the house.
These systems go one step further and identify changes in patterns that may indicate illness or injury. Say, for example, a senior makes coffee every morning at seven before leaving the house for a walk. If they fall in their home, the system will notify the monitor that they have neither made coffee nor left home. It may link into automated shift-filling software to assist the patient.
The patient must agree to have the sensors and systems installed, but they are pretty discreet and are far less intrusive than full-time care providers.
Wearable Medical Devices
Wearable medical devices in the form of GPS-enabled wristbands or pendants provide additional protection for the users. It makes it possible to track the seniors wherever they are and is particularly useful in cases of dementia.
Such devices may also include fall detectors that summon help if necessary. The devices will also notify emergency personnel of chronic conditions, allergies, and the contact details for the patient’s doctor and next of kin.
The software may integrate with shift management software to properly align aftercare or follow-up visits by personal support workers.
Digital Pill Dispensers
Remembering to take your pills is difficult enough when you’re young. As you get older, it becomes easy to forget whether or not you’ve taken your daily dose. Digital pill dispensers solve this problem through the use of a smart tray.
The caregiver places the medication for the week in the tray and digitally locks it. They will then schedule when the patient should take each medicine. The device will unlock to release the day’s medication, and sound the alarm if the patient doesn’t take it.
Smart Speakers
Smart speakers make it possible for seniors to manage several tasks within their home and access the information they require. For example, they can adjust the thermostat, lock digital doors, set reminders for medication, and control various other tasks.
Smart speakers are also beneficial in that they constantly listen for requests. If a patient injures themselves, they may cry out for assistance and activate the speaker.
Technology in Senior Living Facilities
Senior living facilities today use much of the same technology we’ve already mentioned. Advancements in this area, however, center on the management of the facility and employees.
Software Solutions
Shift managers can, for example, use shift-filling software to run their organizations more smoothly. Such programs go beyond the typical nursing home scheduling app because they incorporate artificial intelligence.
Automated shift-filling software Is more than just staff management software; it also acts as a predictive scheduler. Search tools improve the quality of senior care by freeing up the time of personal service workers.
Before you were able to automate scheduling, the only shift filling solution was to call personnel manually. This process is labour-intensive and detracts from the services you provide.
With a simple shift filling app and the correct shift planning software, you need only send one message to all your contacts. Those available for the shift will log their interest indirectly onto the system.
Virtual Consultations
Virtual consultations allow seniors to receive medical or dental advice without leaving their room. Patients may also connect with mental health professionals virtually. While the patient will still have to see the doctor in person in some instances, the doctor can deal with minor complaints and anxieties.
The benefit to the patient is that they do not have to disrupt their entire day. For many seniors, this provides a convenient alternative to an in-person visit.
Personalized Playlists
It is difficult for seniors showing signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease to reconnect with their pasts. Personalized playlists downloaded onto iPads or similar music players can ease anxiety and reduce confusion.
Robot Pets
Seniors can rely on robot pets for companionship, which are much easier to care for and require no cleanup or feeding. They may also incorporate reminders, alarms and connect through to monitoring systems.
Predictive Models
We’re not quite at this point yet, but it’s not far off. Personalization has become a big buzzword in the marketing industry because people want to be treated like humans, not numbers. The personalization trend will benefit seniors through predictive models that make their lives easier.
AI-based programs will begin to learn what the user’s daily habits and preferences are. They’ll remind the seniors about essential activities they’ve overlooked and identify which areas need the most attention.
Seniors can look forward to their Golden Years secure in the knowledge that technology is supporting them. Advances such as automated shift-filling software, wearable monitoring devices, and intelligent technology paint a very promising future for senior care.