While digital communication tools continue to evolve, the Senior Care industry is also creating groundbreaking devices that can help you monitor the well-being and whereabouts of elderly parents.
Ever-evolving communication
While the likes of Skype, FaceTime and WhatsApp need no introduction, evolving digital technologies continue to make online communication an increasingly dynamic experience. In 2019, Facebook rolled out its Portal Smart Camera with the slogan: ‘If you can’t be there, feel there.’ The AI-powered ‘Smart Camera’ intelligently pans and zooms to stay with the action, which sounds ideal for grandparents interacting with lively grandchildren.
Wi-Fi cameras and apps
For expats that are more concerned about keeping a very close eye on an elderly family member living alone at home, Wi-Fi cameras can be installed. Most devices also sport two-way audio communication, so you can talk back and forth in case of an incident. Meanwhile another device called Wally can be installed in your parents’ home and will notify you of any water leaks, humidity or temperature spikes, or other atmospheric disturbances, which might be of concern.
Eyes on the road
If your parent(s) are still getting behind the wheel of a car, there’s a handy app called Life360 that will ping you (and any other family members / carers you wish) whenever your folks are on the move and when they arrive. In case of an emergency, thanks to GPS, you will be able to see their exact location and confirm that assistance is on the way.
Helpful AI-assistants
There are also some dynamic AI-powered products on the Elder Care market. Buddy is a wrist watch that monitors vital signs, reminds users to take medication, detects falls and more. If the elderly parent has an accident, or is experiencing a health issue, you will receive a notification via an app on your smartphone. Then there’s ElliQ, “a sidekick for happier aging”, which helps seniors stay in touch with family or loved ones and engage in healthy behaviours.
Please note: a disclaimer…
We must stress that the above article is just to give our community a sense of what’s on offer from the growing Elder Care market. If you are intrigued by any of the above products, we urge you to do further research. It’s very important to make sure everyone (including other family members if they’re also involved in caring for your parents) is comfortable with using the product, clear on its purpose and aware of the benefits.
This article was originally published for the thousands of expat partners that Global Connection supports around the globe. It is reproduced here in its original form.
