Seniors want to remain in their homes as long as they can. For some seniors, this may be difficult due to medical conditions that cause concern for caregivers. However, some technological advances have been made, such as the system discussed below that allows seniors to remain at home and be safe. These systems can provide a sense of relief for caregivers.
1. Caregiver Systems consist of touch screen monitors and wireless sensors that are placed in various locations in the home. The sensors will monitor health indicators, such as blood pressure, weight, motion and activity.
2. The system also acts as a communication system, allowing users, such as caregivers, to go online and send messages and reminders to the seniors at home. These messages will appear on the touch screens.
3. The system has one touch access that is easy for seniors to use. This will allow them to access games, family photos and appointment reminders.
4. The system also has a personal emergency response system, also called PERS. This system provides 24/7 monitoring of the senior and can call for medical response if necessary.
5. These technological advances allow seniors to stay at home longer. There is less worry from friends and family members regarding the safety and well-being of the senior while they remain in their home.
Q – There are states between myself and my grandchildren; it’s hard to find creative ways to stay in touch, but I want to make sure they know that their grandmother loves them and is trying to have an impact on their lives. Is there anything I can do to make our phone calls more memorable, or other ways to really make our interactions from a distance more special?
A – Here are some tips for grandparenting from a distance:
1. Take advantage of technology – email and social networking sites can allow families to remain connected. Post pictures, videos and share stories using sites like Facebook or others that can help keep grandparents and grandchildren up to date on what’s happening in each other’s lives
2. Create fun long-distance games – to stay connected, grandparents can try fun long-distance games that let their grandchildren know they’re loved and being thought about. Create personalized crossword puzzles or word searches, send them a jar of M&Ms to countdown to the next visit, or play long-distance hide and seek, having someone hide items around the house and then giving the clues to their grandchildren over the phone
3. Make a point to get together – it’s hard to bring families together, and easy for too much time to pass between visits. Family reunions that bring grandchildren together with their grandparents should happen at least once a year no matter what!
Q – I have thought about home care for my aging mother in Florida; but how do I know when it’s the right time?
A – There is no cut and dry answer for when it’s right to bring home care into the life of a Florida senior like your mother, but there are some life situations that seniors can encounter which makes home care ideal for them. If your mother finds herself experiencing one or more of the following scenarios, then it may be time to consider home care for her.
• She’s struggling with Activities of Daily Living – seniors who struggle with dressing, bathing, preparing meals, taking their medications, or keeping up with chores around the home are ideal candidates for in-home senior care
• Her mobility is declining – seniors who are having changes with their balance and mobility may be at a greater risk of falling or having an accident in the home when trying to perform ADLs . By hiring a caregiver, safety issues can be addressed and prevented through additional help
• She’s given up driving – seniors who no longer drive for whatever reason, would greatly benefit from the help of a caregiver who can take them to run errands or to appointments
• She doesn’t have family nearby – seniors who have the above problems but do not have family nearby to help them can benefit from in home care when there’s no one else out there to help them
• She’s recently come out of hospital or rehab – after seniors have been released from the hospital or rehab program and are in recovery, it’s better for seniors to have the help of a caregiver so they don’t put too much of a burden on their bodies by trying to care for themselves or their homes
Home Care Florida provides home care for the elderly, aging, and seniors in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Palm Coast. Call us today at 904-363-6699 or 904-794-9450.
