Throughout 2020, the team at Effraim Home Care saw firsthand how important the role of technology is in the lives of older individuals. As we kick off 2021 and experience the challenges of a new year, health and well-being are at the center of how we give thought to seniors and technology. In 2021, it’s predicted that these technology trends will be the ones to consider for seniors. Contact us online for call us at (215) 826-7422 to learn more about how we can help seniors you love.
Video Conferencing Software
The importance of remaining connected when we can’t physically be close to our loved ones has been a lesson learned for individuals of all ages in 2020, and is even more important for elderly adults. Products like Zoom, Skype, and Google Chat let seniors keep in touch with their family and friends, engage in online book clubs, social groups or classes, and help prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation. Additionally, as virtual health appointments gain in popularity among both medical professionals and patients, apps such as FaceTime and Skype are replacing telemedicine platforms to provide more convenience for older individuals.
Alexa Care Hub
“Alexa, check in on Mom!” As part of Amazon’s hospitality suite, the Alexa Care Hub is useful for older adults who live alone or in a community living setting. With capabilities that help caregivers monitor activity and promptly get in touch with the seniors in their care, the Alexa Care Hub introduces new capabilities in addition to its conventional voice assistant offerings. Presently, Amazon Echo devices are used in senior living communities and residential homes throughout the nation with expectations for a surge in demand. The Alexa Care Hub takes it a step further with medication reminders, customized alerts, and numerous features that allow older adults to preserve freedom while offering assurance to their loved ones.
Meditation and Mindfulness Apps
Not exclusively a trend for millennials, mindfulness and meditation apps can help increase both sleep and focus, and help aging adults build the skills required to let go of stress and feelings of anxiety. Apps like Headspace, Calm, and The Mindfulness App allow users to personalize meditation programs to work best for their needs, giving seniors the opportunity to develop a personalized practice. Meditation has even been linked to boosting both long and short term memory, reducing loneliness, and improving cognitive function.
Smart Home Devices
From home security systems to ovens to medication organizers, there appears to be a smart version of almost every household device these days — and we can expect to see further smart tools on the market in 2021. While smart devices are becoming ubiquitous in our everyday lives, it’s important to consider the ways that these voice- and motion-enabled systems allow seniors to remain independent throughout their daily activities. Bearing this in mind, we anticipate seeing more smart home products developed to meet the needs of older populations while preserving the look and feel of your favorite technology devices.
At Effraim Home Care, staying connected with older adults both online and in-person to prevent loneliness and isolation are at the center of our mission and beliefs. We see the role technology plays in this mission and encourage seniors and their family members to work with us. Call our care team at (215) 826-7422 or fill out our online contact form and discover more about our Lehigh County elderly care and the surrounding communities we serve. For more information about the different areas our services are available in Pennsylvania, please visit our Locations Served page.
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