Learn about the latest senior technology trends.
This year, our home care services team saw firsthand how important the role of technology is in the lives of aging adults and seniors. As we move into 2021 and face the challenges of a new year, health and wellness are at the forefront of how we think about technology for older adults. In the new year, it’s predicted that these senior technology trends will be the ones to look out for.
Video Conferencing Software
The importance of staying connected when we can’t physically be close to our loved ones was a lesson learned for people of all ages this year and is even more important for aging adults. Tools like Zoom, Skype, and Google Chat allow seniors to stay in touch with their friends and family, join remote book clubs, social groups or classes, and help prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness. Additionally, as virtual health appointments increase in popularity among both physicians and patients, apps like FaceTime and Skype are replacing telemedicine platforms to provide more convenience for older adults.
Alexa Care Hub
“Alexa, check in on Mom!” As part of Amazon’s hospitality suite, the Alexa Care Hub is useful for seniors living on their own or in a community living setting. With capabilities that help caregivers monitor activity and quickly get in touch with the seniors they care for, the Alexa Care Hub introduces new capabilities in addition to its traditional voice assistant offerings. Currently, Amazon Echo devices are used in senior living communities and residential homes across the country with expectations for an increase in demand. The Alexa Care Hub takes things a step further with medication reminders, customized alerts, and a number of features that allow aging adults to maintain independence while providing assurance to their loved ones.
Meditation and Mindfulness Apps
Not just a trend for millennials, meditation and mindfulness apps can help increase focus, improve sleep, and help aging adults build the skills needed to let go of stress and feelings of anxiety. Apps like Headspace, Calm, and The Mindfulness App allow users to tailor meditation programs to best suit their needs, giving seniors the opportunity to develop a personalized practice. Meditation has even been linked to enhancing both long and short term memory, reducing loneliness, and improving cognitive function.
Smart Home Devices
From home security systems to ovens to medication organizers, there seems to be a smart version of just about every household item these days — and senior technology trends predict we can expect to see even more smart tools on the market in the new year. While smart devices are becoming ubiquitous in our everyday lives, it’s important to consider the ways that these voice and motion-enabled systems allow aging adults to move independently throughout their day. With this in mind, we expect to see more smart home products designed to meet the needs of aging populations while maintaining the look and feel of your favorite technology devices.
At Advanced Home Health Care, connecting with seniors both online and in-person to prevent loneliness and isolation are at the core of our mission and beliefs. We see the role technology plays in this mission and encourage seniors and their caregivers to contact our Iowa home care team online or at 800.791.7785 for more information about our senior care in Fort Madison and the surrounding communities we serve in the counties of Des Moines, Lee, Henry, Louisa and Van Buren.
