Mom is insistent on staying in the home she has had for years. She wishes to age in place. Your heart falls into your gut with the thought of her potentially lying on the floor for hours without the ability to get up or alert anyone till you get home from work.
And even more…what if she forgets her heart medication, or even becomes lonely when you are at work? Without breaking the bank, technology for seniors is a great way to supplement family caregiving and other senior care services!
Smart Lamps For Decreasing and Preventing Falls
Yes, Lamps! Lamps are already a part of fall precautions in the home. When I went to an Aging in Place Technology conference about a year ago, it blew my mind. We are not talking about a medical alert system for falls.
These lamps can not only pick up on falls in almost a 360 direction, but they do this without the obvious older medical life alert bracelets or necklaces. There is no need to push a button.
The AI technology also recognizes when your loved one BEGINS to show signs of poor gait prior to falls. This also gives you the chance to get help with Physical or Occupational Therapy to increase balance and strength.
There are also attractive lighting devices such as the Nobi Smart Lamp. It was developed to both, prevent and detect falls.
Nobi’s “smart lamps” use optical care sensors and artificial intelligence to detect falls and notify caregivers or family members quickly, so that they can receive assistance soon.
They also have features like automatic lighting during bed exits and circadian rhythm adjustments for safety and well-being.
Besides that, the lamps are easy to install and can be controlled via an app. Doesn’t everything have an app these days?
The only downside is the limited compatibility with certain smart home platforms, so please check with the manufacturer before buying.
The Uobi Smart Lamp has also been shown to be quite effective and is installed in care homes across Europe, the U.S., and other regions are growing after recognizing its discreet and inconspicuous to keep your loved one safe.
In a pilot project at Hartland House in Cumbria, these smart lamps led to a 84% decrease in falls. The lamp works by sensing when the resident sits up in bed at night and turns on the room light to help them move around without falling.
The lamp works by turning on more if the person stands up, to have better visibility. It can also send signals to the designated caregivers if your loved one is trying to get out of bed so that they can help their elder.
If even the lamps are cost prohibitive, then yes the medic alert bracelet is better than nothing and provides the ability to call you or 911.
Smart Watches for Medical Management, Gait Imbalance, and Reminders For the Seniors
This is starting to get exciting now…Smart Watches are good for Mom and Dad also and here is why…
Medical Guardian MGMove
This watch offers 24/7 emergency monitoring, GPS tracking of the wearer, and an easy to use caregiver mobile application. It has the capability of voice command emergency calling and sends reminders for medications and doctor’s appointments. However, there is no fall detection feature.
Apple Watch Series
When comparing the Apple Watch SE 2 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, it is clear that these smartwatches are for different lifestyles. The Apple Watch SE 2 is a more affordable option that provides the core features that you expect from a smartwatch such as activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, and crash detection for the everyday user who needs the basics. It doesn’t have features like ECG and SpO2 monitoring, but it does have fall detection, all at a lower price.
PROS:
- Fall detection with GPS integration: It is designed to alert emergency contacts and share the user’s location.
- Siri voice activation: It makes the process of calling for help easy and without the need to use your hands.
- Non-medical aesthetic: The Apple Watch does not look like the typical medical alert devices which will appeal to the fashion conscious.
Cons:
- Cost: The Apple Watch and the phone that you must have are not cheap and can be a significant financial strain for seniors.
- Learning curve: Not everyone is comfortable using the tech prompts in case of an emergency.
- Must be recharged by taking off.
- Forgetful seniors may not put this watch on.
- No 24/7 monitoring: Unlike the dedicated medical alert systems, there is no monitoring center for constant supervision of the Apple Watch.
- Again, it is dependent on the individual wearing the device consistently
The Apple Watch is a good choice for fall detection, emergency calling, and other safety features in a stylish everyday watch. To help you decide which Apple Watch might be right for you, I recommend reading the reviews and comparing models like the SE 2 and Ultra 2 on price.
COCO Bluetooth Smartwatch BT2!
The COCO watch has functions of health monitoring such as heart rate and blood oxygen, fall detection and even medication alert. It supports personal emergency response services and the client can use the voice command to make emergency calls.
When choosing a smartwatch, consider which features are most important for your specific needs, such as emergency calling, health monitoring, fall detection, medication reminders, and GPS tracking. Ensure the device is compatible with any existing technology and your loved one has agreed and finds it comfortable for daily wear.
Automated Smart Medication Dispensers for Seniors
Not enough can be said for these medication management tools designed to assist caregivers and patients when organizing and taking their medications correctly. Many of these have timers that will alert seniors when it is time for medication. These go beyond those plastic pill organizers not only do these alert caregivers by smartphone when or when the patient has not taken the medication!
Medication management devices for the elderly:
LiveFine WiFi Automatic Pill Dispenser and Remote Medication Monitoring System with Locking Key dispenses up to 9 times a day and multiple caregivers can monitor compliance or be alerted.
Digital Pill Box, Single Beep Alarm, and LED Alert is awesome for those who may also need a visual alert with the red LED light. Note: This dispenser does not have the smartphone technology like LiveFine above.
How Robots Like ElliQ Are Providing Support for Aging at Home
No worries…they will never replace you! But, companion robots are changing the way that seniors get support, using technology to combine empathy to improve the daily lives of seniors.
One particular example is ElliQ, created by Intuition Robotics, an AI powered companion for older people. Where traditional devices fail, ElliQ steps in with an active conversation component, entertaining and supporting its users like a companion. It proactively does this, sparking conversations, entertaining, and even prompting users with potential wellness tips.
What makes ElliQ special is the health alert functionality, which enables the device to notify caregivers about various conditions, including poor sleep or illness, thus helping to bridge the gap between seniors and their caregivers. This intelligent and easy to use robot demonstrates the potential of AI to enable people to age in place with the help of technology, while also providing them with safety and connection.
Smart Home Assistants: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Beyond
Smart Home Assistants like Google and Amazon Alexa have been not only revolutionary but a fun tech innovations. These little virtual assistants have the potential to change the way people interact with their homes and devices.
One of the most significant advantages of these assistants is their convenience. They the users to give simple commands to control various devices within their homes. Whether it’s playing music, setting alarms, or adjusting thermostat settings, these assistants make everyday tasks easier.
You can imagine how much use your loved one could get out of this technology. They also offer integration with a wide range of smart devices. From lighting systems to security cameras, users can easily manage multiple devices using a single platform.
This level of convenience has made them popular among people of all ages. Moreover, these assistants have shown potential with features like calendar notifications and to-do lists, they provide timely updates and reminders.
They offer entertainment value. With access to streaming services, news updates, and games, smart home assistants have become a source of amusement for users. This entertainment feature has broadened their appeal.
However, some challenges need to be addressed. One of the primary issues is privacy concerns. The use of smart assistants involves constant monitoring and data collection. This has raised questions about security and the misuse of personal information.
References:
Nobi. (2023). 84% decrease in falls in UK care home thanks to artificial intelligence. Nobi Smart Lamps. Retrieved January 26, 2025, from https://www.nobi.life/en/blog/cases-4/84-decrease-in-falls-in-uk-care-home-thanks-to-artificial-intelligence-14
