3-D printing is one of the most exciting advances to come out of modern technology lately. It has been very popular in STEM teaching (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) in our schools because it holds so much of a wow-factor, but 3-D printing is about more than just making cool things in a classroom. The medical community has found new and innovative ways to use 3-D technology to help people live better lives. This has had an impact on the senior care industry, too.
One of the more visible ways that 3-D printing has helped is through the cheap creation of prosthetic limbs. What once cost tens of thousands of dollars can now be made in a few hours for less than $100. Prosthetic limbs, including working hands, can be made right in a classroom. A teacher can go online and find free plans and downloads for these things and then print them out. Students can help in the process and can even customize the sizes to meet the needs of the individual they are helping. It’s an awesome learning activity and it’s a way to give back to the community. No wonder this is such a popular topic in our schools today.
When it comes to senior care, the implications are not always as easily visible as a prosthetic limb, although this is certainly included in the benefits that 3-D technology can bring to the elderly. Some researchers have even gone as far as believing that it would be possible to produce artificial organs using 3-D technology. Currently, there are teams working on the creation of a heart through this type of tech. Because these hearts will likely be used with stem cells from the person who is in need of the transplant, the need for organ rejection drugs would be eliminated, too. This might seem futuristic, but it’s just one of the many exciting areas where 3-D printing is helping the senior community. There’s no word on how close or how successful these teams are, but it is a huge leap forward–for seniors and beyond.
These developments are still a long way off from being used by our elderly loved ones. In the meantime, superb medical care and knowledgeable senior caregivers are absolutely necessary to help the people that you love continue to live with as great of a quality of life as possible.
This alone can be enough to overwhelm some families. The process can seem big, but there are many qualified groups and individuals that can help you to get started in the right direction. Care can be complex, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t find the ideal solution to your concerns and your family’s needs. It’s all a matter of looking at the right resources.
3-D printing and similar technology can do a lot for our loved ones, but senior care should be of the highest quality regardless of whether or not this tech can help our families. If you have questions about care, please get in touch with us today for the answers to your questions.
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