Aging in place, by textbook definition, is “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely“, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level”. The term is more often than not associated with the elderly. For them, it’s more like “aging in peace”: the ability to carry on with their life without their family members bothering them to change their lifestyle or move into a retirement home. Aging in place is an increasingly relevant topic of our generation, since 90% of adults above their 60s claim to prefer their old residence to independent living facilities. Even though technology can make a senior’s wish come true and enable them to maintain their lifestyle, they must accept some changes and adapt themselves if they want to continue their independent life.
Especially seniors may not be happy to hear this, but technology is the ticket to a continued independent life. Today’s technology luckily already makes it so that seniors themselves don’t have to pay attention to any of the aids that are brought into place. Many of the solutions out there today are basically what they call “set and forget” technology: once it’s enabled, there is no further action required. This is the case with many of the latest assistive and monitoring technologies, the latter of which is the latest big step forward in allowing seniors to age in place. They combine advanced technologies with a human touch, and in many cases they offer seniors’ relatives and caregivers much-deserved relief.
Assistive technology falls into the category of health and wellness solutions. By general terms, assistive devices incorporate any equipment that’s meant to support a disabled or injured person. This includes basic products such as a hearing aid or a rollator but spreads to the horizon of expensive technology, like electronic wheelchairs, screen readers or special computers. Nowadays more and more companies realize the importance of assistive technology, creating phones with large buttons and easy menus or selling smart pens that record handwritten messages digitally. Pill dispensers or medication reminders are also regarded as assistive technologies.
It goes without saying that medical alert systems and home security systems are all monitoring technologies, belonging into the safety and securitycategory of technologies for aging in place. Medical alert systems in particular are the safekeepers of independent seniors. Don’t think about monitoring technology as a peeping eye that follows you around, but instead you should regard it as a safety net. Medical alert systems and home security systems both share a common trait, namely that they’re monitored by a staff of highly trained response agents. Their duty is to answer any incoming emergency calls, assess the situations and take the necessary actions, like notifying the ambulance about a stroke victim or call the police when someone tries to break in.
Medical alert systems are meant to enhance the aging adult’s freedom instead of interfering with it. The safety button can be worn as jewelry, so most seniors get used to them quickly. But in an emergency situation the presence of an extra safety net can make the difference. In the end, aging in place is okay as long as elders are willing to embrace solutions that help them protect themselves.
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