Technology can help seniors with daily activities, from meal management to learning, social interactions, and safety monitoring. Some tools are used strictly for aging adults with dementia, while other devices are beneficial to seniors and their caregivers. Below are some helpful technology tools and safety considerations to consider when it comes to your aging loved one with dementia.
Interior Cameras
Checking up on a loved one with dementia is easier when your family installs interior cameras. This allows your loved one to remain at home instead of moving into your house, to another state with other family caregivers, or to an elderly care facility.
If your loved one hasn’t reached the advanced stages of dementia and can still bathe, cook, and perform other activities safely, you should still monitor the videos to see if they have slips and falls or other accidents and injuries. Having the interior cameras allows you to do that respectfully.
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be a challenging task for anyone. The responsibilities can sometimes feel overwhelming, but help is available. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted provider of dementia care at home. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need more extensive assistance that their families are not able to provide. Companioa by Institute on Aging (IOA) is here to help.
Live Videos
These general technology devices come with many apps and features that connect seniors with others, from family to friends and medical professionals, in the form of videos. The devices could help your loved one speak with children and grandchildren in other states, which is excellent for seniors with dementia, as the interaction can boost their memory and allow them to think about positive aspects of the past.
Detectors & Locator Devices
If your loved one attempts to leave the home while you’re asleep or in another room, these tools can alert you before they make it outside the home. The detectors could also sound off when your loved one attempts to open windows or use various electrical devices and objects within the house, such as the stove, heating and air conditioning units, or the garage door.
Tracking devices could help your loved one locate remote controls, mobile phones, keys, and other items essential to daily life. Your loved one may have misplaced these items and cannot remember where they are, or they may have intentionally hidden them from you and other caregivers. Having these technical devices attached to daily tools makes finding them easier.
Even when families have the best intentions, caring for a senior loved one with dementia can be challenging. Luckily, there is dementia home care families can rely on. Professional dementia caregivers help seniors with dementia stay safe and comfortable at home by preventing wandering, providing cognitive stimulation, and assisting with household chores.
Communication Apps
Applications that are strictly for seniors with dementia are available to download to smartphones and tablets. For example, there are communication apps that allow seniors to share their emotions without needing to speak. Art via pictures and music is an aspect of memory even as dementia progresses. As a result, your loved one can utilize the apps on a phone or tablet to share how they’re feeling, the foods they want to eat, and the activities they want to take on. Apps can also help with medication reminders, ensuring your loved one doesn’t skip prescriptions or take more than appropriate.
Aging in place can present a few challenges for seniors living with dementia. However, they can still live independently at home with the help of professional in-home dementia care. Families can rely on Companioa by IOA to provide their elderly loved ones with mental and social stimulation, timely medication reminders, assistance with meal prep, and much more. Our caregivers are available around the clock to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life. We will work with you to create a customized home care plan that’s suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Call us at (415) 750-4111 today.