The cost of care in assisted living facilities or nursing homes for an elder relative can quickly eat up a family’s savings. Aging in place in the home can greatly reduce the cost of elder care, primarily by postponing a move to an assisted living facility or nursing home. Although home and personal monitoring devices plus sensors have the potential for saving thousands of dollars in monthly care expenses, the financial savings are not the only motivator for adopting these technologies. When technologies help elders safely age in the home, they maintain their independence and self-confidence.
New Technology
The old technology of personal emergency response services which require the user to wear a pendant are becoming outmoded. A new generation of smart sensors placed around the home learn patterns of activities, sense unusual movements, detect falls, and alert caregivers when something seems amiss. Sensors work in the background without the privacy invading cameras.
Smart Motion Sensors
For example, Best Buy Assured Living (www.bestbuy.com/site/healthfitness-sports/aging-in-place) provides a customizable, non-intrusive sensor-based activity notification service. Caregivers can use the system’s dashboard to see activity patterns. Unobtrusive sensors placed around the home monitor and report on activities—or lack of activity—and alert care givers to changes in routine. The app also allows caregivers to monitor the home itself such as thermostat settings, lights, and door locks.
GPS Location
GPS enabled shoe soles can help a family keep track of an elder relative’s whereabouts outside the home. For example, GPS SmartSole® insoles (gpssmartsole.com/gpssmartsole) can track a wearer’s location on a map to within 15 feet every five minutes and send text and email geo zone alerts to a mobile phone, tablet, or computer.
