Technology is all pervasive, yet it seems like a separate domain for many of us. Technology is an integral part of nature just as you and I are. If we take away focus from what technology is to what technology can do for us, it can just be like a piece of clothing that we adorn. Technology often seems otherworldly due to the plethora of products that are described by perplexing jargon.
The Adoption
Demystifying technology and ensuring that the benefits reach common people in a personalized manner are most essential to closing the gap between product innovation and its adoption. This can only be accomplished by service providers who make products come to life for people. This blog specifically addresses how technology service providers can help in eldercare.
Integrated Security
Security is the most important consideration for elderly people, whether self-reliant or assisted by others. There have been a variety of security products available including video door phones, security sensors, cameras and digital door locks. However, as explained above, since each person’s needs are different, the design, implementation and support are the most important considerations to providing reliable security cover for the elderly.
Personalized design would take into account factors such as mobility, alertness, dexterity and comfort with mobile devices. Privacy is a huge consideration especially when video monitoring is involved. A non-intrusive first step would be to use appropriately placed sensors to monitor routine movements. Each family member or caregiver should be able to only monitor and access data that they have the rights to. For example, notifications for medicines taken should be shared only with specific people that the elderly person feels comfortable with.
Exceptional Convenience
Another aspect that the elderly would benefit from are technology-enabled convenience features. These include lights that can be operated with voice commands, with a remote or those that will turn on when movement is sensed at night. These options, when designed carefully, can be particularly useful for the elderly that have limited mobility. Curtains can also be programmed to open and close at specific times (e.g., opening to allow light into the premises in the mornings while closing at noon to keep the indoors cool). Air-conditioners can also be automated to provide a comfortable temperature while also conserving energy.
Entertainment is important for the elderly as it is for everyone else. However, the elderly can struggle with myriad remote controls. An easy-to-use mobile interface with buttons such as “Watch TV” which when tapped will turn on the relevant devices and present favorite channels will provide immense convenience to many elderly people.
Deeply Personalized
It is most important to note that elderly people change with time as we all do. Technology-enabled service providers need to be cognizant of such changes in the people they serve. Solutions provided should be flexible enough to adapt to changing needs without the need for significant additional costs. Being able to improve quality of life for the elderly and reducing anxiety for family members and caregivers should provide an immense sense of satisfaction for service providers. In the end, how we make others feel as their experience matters more than everything that lies underneath.
Please contact ramya@onetozerodigital.com for designing and implementing deeply personalized technology-enabled solutions for the elderly in an economical manner.
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