Thanks to the modern age we live in, there’s a gadget to solve pretty much any problem we could think up – and this goes for our seniors too.
If you’re watching your parents get older and wishing you could help them out, you might want to point them in the direction of some useful tech. Here are eight gadgets that will help make an older adult’s life easier and more comfortable.
Emergency Alerts
Frail physical health is something we all worry about for our aging parents. What if they slip and fall and hurt themselves while they’re alone at home? Emergency alert systems are a great solution to this concern.
These medical alert systems typically come in the form of wearable devices with a panic button, so that emergency services can be contacted in any situation. Both you and your parents will feel a little more at ease knowing that help is just a click away – we’re sure of it.
Smart Security
While the topic of safety is on the table, it’s a good idea to mention how far home security has come in recent years. Smart security systems are safer and easier to manage than ever, making them the perfect upgrade for your parents’ home.
They’ll be able to view camera footage from their phones, manage alarms and even lock or unlock doors remotely – a lifesaver for the forgetful types!
AI Home Assistants
We all love Alexa, but for seniors, smart assistants can be even more of a game changer. The hands-free assistance across their entire home will make it easy for them to control other smart devices such as the lighting or the temperature in their home, play music, manage their home security, get medication reminders and more.
The simplicity and ease of using these gadgets will help them feel relaxed and completely in control.
Fitness Watches
No, smart fitness watches aren’t just for the young and fit, they’re for everybody who cares about their health, and your parents should definitely fall into that category!
These watches will count your step, monitor your heart rate, and provide insights about sleep. These metrics are great for health management, can encourage more movement and help you to know how your overall health is doing. Plus, they’ll also send notifications straight to your wrist, so missing and forgotten smartphones won’t be such an issue.
Smart Vacuum Cleaners
Investing in a robot vacuum can take a major load off your parents as they get older and find chores more and more draining.
These devices can function on a timed setting, meaning that they’ll clean up the floors each and every day at a specific time. Some even use sensors to detect where and when there’s a mess that they need to address. Nifty.
Motion Sensor Lights
If falls in the dark are something that concern you, then motion sensor lights are a very simple solution to consider.
Waking up in the middle of the night for a bathroom trip can easily lead to a bump in the dark and result in a nasty fall. Set up some motion sensor lights at the bedroom and bathroom doors to make visibility and movement much easier.
Smartphones
While this might seem obvious, many older adults are still a little resistant to new technology. Getting your parents set up with full-capability smartphones will prove extremely useful.
Aside from the easy communication you’ll be able to keep with them on video calls and messaging, there are plenty of apps designed to help older adults with various tasks such as managing medication, handling finances, and even just keeping themselves entertained.
AirTags
If your parents have grown forgetful and developed a habit of losing important items like house keys, then investing in an AirTag could be a lifesaver.
These devices attach to your commonly misplaced items and use GPS signals to help you find them when they’re missing. These devices can be used for anything else too – like Mom’s missing knitting.
Final Thoughts
Although modern tech might be a little intimidating to seniors, try to show your parents the wonderful benefits some of these gadgets might bring into their lives.
These are only a few examples of the amazing advantages technology has brought into the lives of people of all ages. If your parents are reluctant though, don’t force anything on them and allow them to dip their toes in – you might find that they open up to the idea over time.
