Archive for the ‘Technology’ Category

High-Tech Care Coordination for In-Home Care

Posted on: February 20th, 2012 by aagingbetter

If aging in place is part of your senior loved one’s long-term care plan, you want to ensure that he or she can remain at home safely.  Adding newer technology options to your plan can help you coordinate care and maintain a safe environment even when a family or professional caregiver is absent.  There are a number of older and newer devices that can help family members monitor their loved ones at home, such as the following:

  • Web cams & sensor systems like the AttentiveCare and AT&T Remote Monitor systems provide an inside look at the home, so family members or “call center” can watch for any potential accidents an elderly or disabled individual might have at home.  The sensor systems can also send alerts to the appropriate monitoring parties when doors or windows are opened–or even when water is leaking from a faucet in the monitored home.
  • Emergency response pendants like those provided by KMC’s LifeLine program and others give seniors a sense of safety, knowing they can call for help at the push of a button if they fall or otherwise need assistance.  Emergency responders are quick to respond to the call.
  • Telehealth monitors collect readings for a patient’s weight, blood pressure, and other physiological measurements without having to make a doctor’s appointment.  Again, the readings are automatically transmitted to a “call center” that collects the data and forwards the information on to doctor’s offices or other appropriate responders.
  • Automatic pill dispensers remind patients to take their medications by voice message, text, and/or flashing lights, and dispense the right dose at the right time.  Many can even call the family caregiver in the event that the patient misses a dose.

The health care industry has made great strides in technology for in-home care clients over the past decade.  For more information on how to coordinate a loved one’s care at home, contact us or call AAging Better In-Home Care at (208) 777-0308 in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls or Hayden areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas, or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg, Wallace or Pinehurst areas.

Determining the Right Care for Your Needs

Posted on: January 16th, 2012 by aagingbetter

Home care providers offer many services to help meet an individual’s care needs and to help him or her age or recover safely and comfortably at home.  Determining just what services the person requires, however, can be a bit overwhelming.  We’ve broken down some of the main functions and ability levels that we take into account when recommending either limited or full-time home care to help you in researching options.

Minimal to Minor Care at Home:

  • Emergency Responsiveness: The individual is able to negotiate stairs, call for assistance or respond appropriately to someone helping him or her during an emergency.
  • Mobility: The individual is able to walk and transfer himself or herself from a bed or chair independently with infrequent falling.
  • Activities of Daily Living (bathing, dressing, feeding, etc.): The individual is able to accomplish most activities with little help; perhaps needs assistance with meals or housekeeping, or reminders about medications, assistance grooming, etc.
  • Mental Status: The individual has little to no mental impairment.

Move to Full-time Care at Home:

  • Emergency Responsiveness: The individual needs definite or major assistance in the event of an emergency.
  • Mobility: The individual is prone to falls and needs either stand-by or full assistance walking or transferring.
  • Activities of Daily Living: The individual needs reminders and/or full assistance with many or all activities of daily living.
  • Mental Status: The individual has mild to moderate memory impairment, becomes disoriented often, and/or exhibits mild confusion.

If the individual is in need of full, round-the-clock assistance, our agency is well equipped to offer this service to families or the individual.  However, if significant dementia or Alzheimers is a large part of the picture, family members may want to consider an assisted living facility.  If your family needs further guidance in determining the level of care for a relative, Aaging Better In-Home Care is happy to help.  Contact us online or call us at (208) 777-0308 in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls or Hayden areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas, or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg, Wallace or Pinehurst areas.

 

[M1]Link to contact page

High Tech Home Care Options

Posted on: January 9th, 2012 by aagingbetter

One of the biggest benefits of aging in place in this day and age is that technology can make nearly anything possible!  There are numerous high-tech tools to make the home safer for aging seniors, which, in turn, brings peace of mind to their friends and family.  The following are a few devices to consider for loved ones receiving in-home care:

  • Webcams: Installing webcams throughout the home allows both family members and caregivers the ability to virtually check in on the senior at any time.  Webcams also allow family members who live far way to video chat with their loved ones.  While the issue of privacy is of concern, this technology has proven to be a life-saver in some instances where the loved one has fallen and been unable to get up.  Where webcams have  been installed in instances like this, families have been very happy with the results.

  • Sensor Monitors: In conjunction with webcams, sensors can be placed throughout the home to track movement.  These are particularly handy for seniors with ambulation or wandering issues, such as someone with mild Alzheimers or dementia that is not advanced enough to require institutionalization.   Most sensor systems connect to a TV or computer monitor and an internet connection so that the company monitoring the sensors can detect anything out of the ordinary and contact family members or a response team quickly.

  • Medical Alert Pendants: These handy devices are becoming increasingly popular with seniors and disabled individuals as this technology continues to be updated to increase their effectiveness.  They are worn by the subscriber and a button is pressed in the event of a fall or other emergency, connecting the senior to 911 or another emergency response service.  The cost is usually around $25-$30 per month for subscribers.  Kootenai Medical offers this technology via its Lifeline Program in Coeur d’Alene.  A call to this office can get an appointment for a technician to come out to the subscriber’s home and set up the call pendant.  It does require a land line (phone), however.   Currently, this technology does not work with cell phones.

  • Automatic Pill Reminders/Dispensers: These are perfect for patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.  An alarm in the pill dispenser goes off, alerting the senior to take his or her medication by voice message, and dispenses the correct dosage.  If the senior misses a dose, an alert is sent to the caregiver after 90 minutes.

Technology is increasing the level of independence that seniors can experience in their homes.  For more information on these home care options, contact AAging Better In-Home Care online or call us at (208) 777-0308 in the Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls or Hayden areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry or Priest River areas, or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg, Wallace or Pinehurst areas.

[M1]Link to contact page

 
Call Us Toll Free at 866.464.2344 or send us a request by email... click to get started »