Leaving elderly or disabled loved ones alone for any amount of time can be a nerve-wrecking ordeal. Will they fall? Will they eat? Will they remember to take their medication? Is it time to bring someone in to help or find an assisted living facility? These are just a handful of the questions plaguing caretakers who don’t live with their loved ones, or, simply can’t be with them 24/7.
Thanks to technology, caretakers now have the option to monitor elderly or disabled loved ones’ activities in real time—enabling them to stay in their homes longer.
Through a network of sensors and software tied to a web application, families can choose what to monitor, how to receive the information (text, e-mail or web), and who should be notified. For example, they can be notified when their loved one leaves and returns, gets out of bed, opens the refrigerator or medicine cabinet, and if he or she is moving normally about the house. They can also receive an alert if there is no activity within a specified time, or if their loved one pushes the “contact me” button for help.
We all know there’s no place like home for an elderly loved one. But caring for them can take its toll and hiring help can be costly. Technologies such as this allow the elderly or disabled continue to live more independently, while their families share the caretaking responsibilities between siblings, children, neighbors and other caregivers creating a strong foundation for support.
In the DC Metro area, Smart Automation Solutions is a certified local dealer for one such service, the CloseBy Network. I recommend contacting them if you or someone you know may be facing these difficult decisions. Smart Automation Solutions offers demonstrations.
Creating a strong foundation of support is the greatest gift you can give your loved ones.