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Wearable Technology for Aging In Place

Technology is an excellent resource to aid in aging gracefully and independently. Wearable technology for seniors can help to keep track of their activity levels, heart rate, detect falls, have GPS capabilities, give reminders, and keep them more connected to others. There are many kinds and variations of wearable technology such as buttons, lanyards, and smartwatches. Each system has different benefits and capabilities, making it important to find the system that suits your needs best.

Benefits:

Wearable technology can help seniors remain independent by keeping important health status information at their fingertips. Options like smartwatches can track heart rate, give alerts for high heart rates, give standing reminders, provide medication reminders, and allow users to review their activity levels for the day. These functions can help keep seniors aware of their level of activity and encourage exercise. It can also help them stay on top of their daily medications and schedules. Additionally, some options have GPS capabilities that can help seniors navigate to any location desired.

Considerations:

When picking out the best wearable technology it is important to keep in mind what your main goal with the technology is and what will be most comfortable for you. Do you want a monitoring service? Do you want fall detection and help calls? These questions can help you narrow down your search and help you pick the product that will work for you. Other considerations include cost, device size, personal comfortability with technology, customer support, power, and design. Keeping these in mind will help guide you to pick the option that will suit your needs and daily lifestyle.

Is it covered by my insurance?

This is a very common question regarding wearable technology for seniors. Insurance coverage for medical alert systems varies by provider and plan. Long-term care insurance is the most likely to cover medical alert systems but it is not guaranteed. To determine if it is covered for you visit your plan’s website to review covered services, or call a representative. Medicare may be able to cover the expenses as well but it is important to talk to your provider. They will be able to tell you the status of coverage you qualify for, for what reasons, and how long. Talking with your providers will help give you the information needed to make the best decision for you.

Investing in wearable technology or fall detection technology is a great option to pursue to maintain your health and independence. They can help keep you active, keep you in touch with emergency help, give you medical reminders, and track your heart rate. These features help keep your health at your fingertips and ensure you are safe and healthy. There are many different options to explore to find the one that suits your needs for daily life.

 

For more information on wearable technology check out these resources:

Does Insurance Pay for Medical Alert Systems?

What Wearable Technologies Are Important for the Elderly, and Why?

How to Choose a Medical Alert System

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