The US has a rapidly-aging population, with the United States Census Bureau projecting that there will be 78 million people over the age of 65 living in the country by 2035. Not only will there soon be more seniors than teenagers in the United States, but the way people want to grow old is also changing fast. While moving to assisted living facilities was considered the norm among seniors a few decades ago, more seniors are now choosing to grow old in the comfort of their own homes. With the help of technological advancements including smart home tech and Telehealth devices and systems, it is becoming significantly easier to cater to the unique needs of the aging population at home.
Telehealth systems becoming more commonplace
The Telehealth market has grown exponentially in recent years with the market being expected to reach $55.6 billion by 2025. This is partially due to the fact that telehealth technology is no longer only limited to care facilities but has found a place in private residences as well. Home care kits are particularly beneficial as most are not only easy to use but lightweight and compact enough to travel with as well. These kits typically connect to a smartphone and contain a single-lead EKG, digital stethoscope, glucometer, blood pressure cuff, and pulse oximeter. These kits, together with other telehealth services not only help to reduce thecost and time burden of traveling to doctor’s appointments but also minimizes the number of unnecessary hospital visits.
Personal home assistants are extremely helpful
Thanks to smart technology, homes are becoming increasingly accessible to seniors wanting to age in place. Smart home assistants are being utilized in a variety of ways in the homes of aging individuals, including Google Home and Amazon Alexa. While they can be used to control everything from your music to your lights these home assistants can also remind seniors to take their blood pressure or glucose readings, take their medication, exercise, or visit the doctor. Smart assistants are also able to make a house increasingly more secure by offering the residents control of electronic locks, alarm systems, and thermostats. Furthermore, they also possess the potential to connect seniors to various telemedicine services right from the comfort of their homes.
Wearable technologies provide real-time updates
Wearable technologies are becoming increasingly popular among senior aging in place and their healthcare practitioners. These technologies, which include smartwatches, heart rate monitors, wearable blood pressure monitors, and biosensors, can stream real-time, vital health data directly to a patient’s healthcare team from where it can be analyzed and the necessary actions can be taken. Wearable technologies are also to alert both medical responders and caregivers to sudden changes in an individual’s vital signs or movements that may be indicative of a medical emergency or general safety concern.
Telehealth is playing a significant role in helping seniors age in place. Not only are individuals able to grow old in an environment they know and love, but they can also do so knowing that their health concerns are monitored and effectively controlled.
