We think of retirement homes with yellowing curtains and a boxy TV in the corner when most of us talk of senior care. By the year 2050, however, 20% of the population will be occupied in older adults. Senior care is a burgeoning market with new tech opportunities, particularly as the assumption that older people are not using technology is inaccurate.

Nevertheless, digital innovation is being welcomed by the population of senior caregivers, and older people themselves are increasingly using technology.

4 Ways Technology Is Changing Senior Care 

Seniors also bear witness to the ways technology is changing the face of aging. Impact your clients’ quality of life by sharing these four tech solutions that may help to keep older adults healthy, safe and socially connected while making caregiving tasks less stressful.

1. Medical-Alert Systems

Many seniors prefer to live separately, rendering essential items of medical-alert systems. In the event of an accident, such as a fall, these devices allow the elderly to seek assistance. These come in many ways, ranging from smartphone or wearable items to more traditional home devices.

We are becoming sufficiently advanced to track the level of activity and sleep habits of the patient, allowing caregivers to know if there is a high risk of falling due to fatigue. There are even some systems that warn the staff and offer a GPS location if a dementia patient has gone beyond a pre-set range.

2. Telemedicine

Telemedicine, one of the fastest-growing areas in senior-care technology, enables medical professionals and loved ones to get a deeper and more comprehensive look at the health and well-being of the elderly in their care. It technology allows remote monitoring and video conferencing so that a doctor can continue with fewer office visits on top of patient care.

Exposure to this type of information not only benefits the providers involved, but also provides the patient with a comprehensive look at their own health status, helping them to make better day-to-day decisions.

3. AI in a Senior World 

For voice-activated home assistants, there is potential development. With devices such as the Amazon Echo or Google Home, voice activation could be used to operate several things around the house for wheelchair-bound or bed-bound people.

This technology could minimize falls among elderly people, a leading cause of death, as well as give them a sense of control back. The area of senior care is likely to experience rapid growth with the number of home-healthcare workers on the decline.

4. Online Data

Electronic medical records and electronic health records have replaced the paper charts that we used to see in doctor’s offices with digital records, and they are used to keep track of patient data, diagnoses and treatments. 

This gives caretakers and physicians the ability to transfer and share data. Doctors can change orders or intervene in real-time if needed, and patients receive better medical care when doctors have accurate information.

The ability to quickly transfer data to physicians, communicate effectively, and keep records in an accessible format will help to reduce medical errors. Medical software can identify errors such as contraindications and allergies, produce reports, and find patterns and trends to improve diagnosis and treatments.

A Booming Industry

Senior care is no longer about embracing technology, it is about creativity, and understanding of relevant technologies and trends is crucial for entrepreneurs in the tech industry, as opportunities abound.

Fairmont Grand Senior Living Community

Fairmont Grand is a resident centered senior living and memory care facility in Rapid City, SD. Our goal is to create an environment where resident well-being is at the heart of everything we do.

Our wide range of services are designed to meet you or your loved one’s daily needs. We offer restaurant style dining options, a variety of physical activities, and give residents the opportunity to live as independently as possible.

If you or a loved one near Rapid City, South Dakota are considering assisted living or memory care, contact Fairmont Grand to learn more about individualized living options or tour our community.