Most older adults would rather age in place at home than live in a care facility — and today, thankfully, more of them can. There are several reasons why aging in place is more common in the 21st century, including a greater understanding of the needs of senior citizens and the wider availability of support benefits. Another great reason: modern technology.
We're not talking about expensive medical devices or Jetsons-esque helper robots. Lots of everyday tech you may already have at your house can help you stay independent.
Smartphones are probably the single most transformative technology we've seen in the last 20 years, so it's no surprise that they've changed the aging-in-place landscape as well.
For starters, having a phone/computer combo you can always keep with you, as opposed to landlines and desktops placed in specific rooms, makes a big difference. If you have mobility issues or experience a fall or another emergency, it'll be easier to call for help or look up lifesaving information with a smartphone at your side.
Mobile apps are the real game changers, though. The right apps can support your independence in numerous ways: You can use them to track your medication usage, set reminders, order groceries, monitor your diet and sleep patterns, walk through exercise routines, and many other things conducive to living at home safely and comfortably.
Smartwatches have some of the same benefits as smartphones, but health monitoring is where they really shine. A smartwatch on your wrist can track your heart rate and detect irregularities, potentially alerting you of upcoming health episodes. You can also use the step counting feature to maintain an exercise regimen.
With a virtual assistant like Amazon Alexa or Google Nest, you can practically turn your whole house into a support system. This tech can integrate with speakers, appliances, a doorbell camera, and more so you can perform all kinds of basic functions with your voice alone. If you have limited mobility or would otherwise be unable to live at home without help, this hands-free technology is a godsend.
Call out to your virtual assistant to make phone calls, turn on your TV or sound system, start the washing machine or coffee maker, talk to people at your door through a smart doorbell, and accomplish plenty of other day-to-day tasks. Like smartphones, virtual assistants can also be used to set medication and appointment reminders.
Isolation is an often overlooked challenge of maintaining independence at home, since older adults tend not to have as many opportunities to socialize and interact with others. Luckily, there's plenty of community and engaging conversation to be found on the internet, and you don't necessarily need smart technology to participate — a standard computer will do.
Search for groups online where people can gather over common interests. You can play games, talk about your favorite music, join a virtual book club, or share travel stories, just to name a few of the almost endless possibilities. Check in with new friends online a few times a week and you'll give each other much-needed companionship throughout your aging-in-place journeys.
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