Aging gracefully is now easier than ever thanks to so many advances in technology that allow seniors to live independently. As bodies start to slow down and vision and hearing start to decrease it can be difficult to get older and still want to live on your own.
With some technology, we can offset some of the physical disadvantages and live as if they didn’t exist at all. This all means that there are many people out there who no longer need to give up their independence and can continue to live alone for years after retirement.
The number of people over the age of 75 is growing all the time now that baby boomers are reaching that age. This technology is coming in at exactly the right time. In this article, we will go over what some of these options are so you or a loved one can take advantage and start living more independently.
1 – Hearing aids
For decades, hearing aids have been giving people a lot of independence back by allowing them to hear what is going on around them. These days, the technology that goes into making them has made it so that some people who are hard of hearing can now hear better than they ever could in their lives.
For starters, today’s hearing aids use digital technology so they can control distortion that wasn’t possible years ago. The sound is crisp and clear and as natural as hearing can be.
Many can also differentiate between talking and background noise so voices come in loud and clear over the din of other noises. Previously, if it were loud somewhere then everything would blend together making it difficult to have a conversation in a noisy area.
There is also the possibility to use smart technology in some hearing aids. Many have Bluetooth technology that allows you to control your hearing aid by using your smartphone. You can turn it up or down depending on your needs while being discreet about it. There is no need to draw attention to your hearing aid when you can change settings while using your phone.
Best of all, if you lose a hearing aid you can track it down by using your phone. With the cost of hearing aids, this is ideal so you don’t ever have to replace a lost one.
2 – Smart detection devices
Living alone as a senior means that warnings need to be heard loud and clear when there is a problem. Things like a gas leak may not register if there are problems with smell. There are all sorts of leaks that can happen and go unnoticed. Somebody with mobility problems may have trouble dealing with a leak which will make it worse. And getting out of the house in time can also be an issue.
This is why smart detection devices are such a good technology to have so these things are caught early. Years earlier we only had smoke detectors which would only sound when there was already a fire and the smoke would reach the detector. These new devices are much more sensitive and can range quite a bit to detect many different types of gases to smoke in lower quantities.
3 – Medical reminders
Taking medication on time and not forgetting is a challenge that many seniors face. It is one of the problems that can be a serious obstacle to being able to continue living at home. Luckily, there are devices that can help to make sure the right medication was taken and when it’s supposed to be taken.
Pill boxes can now be smart so you are given an alert when a certain medication needs to be taken. They can even send an alert if the wrong one is taken or too many. The box itself is monitored according to how it’s programmed.
In fact they can even be programmed to send an alert to another phone when medication is taken. This way the doses can be monitored remotely either by a trusted family member or even a doctor.
4 – Smart home system
The Internet of Things has made a lot of smart technology possible and where it is being used most frequently is for home security and safety. This smart system is ideal for older people not only to protect their home, but also themselves.
For instance, if there is a ring of the doorbell, you can see from a camera linked to your smartphone who is there. Rather than rush to the door only for it to be somebody trying to sell something, it can be ignored. This is also great for security to be able to monitor what is happening around the house.
There are also motion activated lights for inside as well as outside. This is great protection for if you get out of bed in the middle of the night. The lights will go on automatically so you don’t have to fumble for a light switch and risk falling.
5 – Smart thermostats
When you are on a limited income, saving money where you can is essential. This is whey smart thermostats are a must for anybody but particularly seniors.
They are programmable to the point that they essentially self program. They can link up to the local weather report and turn the heat or air conditioner on automatically based on what temperature it is outside as well as in. then, they are even able to geofence. If you are in your car and getting close to home, they can turn on the heat or air conditioner so the house is your ideal temperature as soon as you reach home.
The savings come from not needing to have the system running all day to keep a steady temperature. It only heats when you need it.
Conclusion
Growing older now doesn’t have to mean losing freedom and independence. With these technologies and many others, it is possible to live your best life for as long as you want.
