Some people look at advances in technology with skepticism. It is stereotypical to say that the elderly are more likely to despise new tech items when they come out, but this stereotype has arisen out of an element of truth. Older people have lived most of their life without things like computers or smartphones, so it is easier to say that these things are unnecessary. Younger folk have been exposed to computers their entire lives, and although smartphones are fairly recent phenomena, younger individuals have spent much of their lives immersed in technology.
So it might seem easy to say that robotic additions to senior care are not something we will see until those currently in their 30s and 40s start to need professional caregivers. But that’s not the case. In fact, there are already robots being used in senior care, and not just those in the Baby Boomer generation. Even those seniors in their 80s and 90s have begun using advanced technology in their care, and it has helped to improve their quality of life drastically.
Think about a situation like this: an elderly man is in decent health, but has trouble leaving his apartment because of mobility issues. He has an in-home care professional come in and help him for three hours per day, but the rest of the time, he is on his own. He has family, and loves his grandchildren very much, but it is very difficult to travel across the country to see them as often as he would like. With a tablet and a WiFi connection, he can talk to his grandkids without problem. If he has issues with hearing, there are even apps out there that can print his grandchildren’s words at the bottom of the screen for him, making communication that much easier.
This is a very realistic situation, and it happens in many places right now. However, technology has advanced to the point where some seniors are now using what are called telepresence robots. Essentially, these are high tech tablets attached to a motorized platform with wheels. The bottom of the platform is equipped with sensors so that the tablet can roll around the room and not bump into things. You can even program it to follow you around, if you wish. It might seem futuristic at first, but it’s all based on a combination of existing technology. And it helps the elderly to better communicate with others.
This is a prime example of taking your loved one’s senior care and ensuring that it meshes well with their lives. If technology is something that they are familiar with and are not vehemently opposed to, then telepresence robots, tablets, and other devices might be exactly what they need to start living a higher quality of life. This needs to be addressed on a case by case basis, but it does show that you don’t necessarily need to stick with traditional methods and do what has always been done. Make your loved one’s senior care, whether it is in-home care or a nursing home, or something in between, a personal journey. Ensure that they have everything they need, but in the way that best suits them.
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