Aging in Place - Is Technology the Answer?

A friend and I were sharing coffee and the conversation turned to stories of caring for our aging mothers. We had so much in common. Both of our mothers, despite our pleadings, remove their Life Alert gadgets when they go to bed. They get up and all too frequently, don’t put them back on. Technology has improved life in many ways and this includes products for the aging. And eldercare technology continues to bring solutions. Yet often elderly people don’t embrace the gadgets designed to help them when they need it most.

Every day, people find themselves becoming responsible for the needs of an aging parent. Many will be in this role of caregiver for a long time. Most people don’t ask to become caregivers; it is a role time places them in. It is also difficult for adult children to become a parent’s supervisor; causing feelings of resentment for both. Many caregivers are also dealing with the challenges of a loved one with dementia, traumatic brain injuries, ALS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, autism or other trials. No one is ever really prepared for these challenges financially, emotionally or spiritually. Statistics tell us that few people prepare for their own personal long-term care needs. Putting a cherished parent in a nursing home may be necessary - someday. Prolonging the time which a parent can stay in their own home is the most cost effective and appreciated gift we can give them. But keeping them safe healthy and engaged in their own home is a significant challenge. Can technology help with this?

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