A New Way of Living for Elderly People: Blending Innovation and Technology in Care Homes

The landscape of modern care homes is constantly evolving with each new technological innovation. Older people can now live in a care home that was beyond imagination 10-15 years ago. Now, support staff can receive an instant alert if the patient falls to the floor or if their heart rate increases suddenly. New technology in care home settings is not only paving the way for assisted living, but also supporting older people to maintain autonomy in their lives with comfort and care.

So, let’s understand what assisted living is and how technology is helping it.

Brief on Assisted Living

Assisted living is a way to improve the lives of older adults. It utilises modern technology and the human connection of caregivers to support the lives of older people. If you are running a care home, your goal is to enhance the quality of life for older residents through assisted living. Using modern medical devices, you ensure that Mr Wilson finds it easy to connect with his family or take his medication on time. It allows people like Mr Wilson to feel independent and autonomous. 

Technology and the Lives of Older People in Care Homes

Suppose Mr Wilson is a 70-year-old male and has been admitted to your home after he fell on the bathroom floor. So, what do you do to take care of him? You can install a motion sensor in his room, attach a fall detection sensor at his wrist, and place a voice-activated assistant in his room. Without getting up from his bed or chair, he can say, "Turn the lights on" or "Set the room temperature to 180°C", and it will be done. Besides, the monitoring devices will send caregiving staff real-time data on his health. If you notice any abnormalities, you can promptly check on him without Mr Wilson needing to ask for help.

Quality Living for Old Residents

The result of such 24/7 real-time monitoring of patients is that they feel safe and secure in a care home facility. Now, more people like Mr Wilson know that even if his health deteriorates in his sleep, someone will come and take care of him. Such service assurance goes beyond physical health improvement; it helps residents feel psychologically safe.

When discussing the improvement of care facilities, it means not only increasing manpower but also leveraging technology and human intervention to work together. A data-driven care approach lets caregivers plan differently for residents. Some other patients might have heart issues so that caregivers can monitor their heart rates. Another patient might forget to take their medicine on time, so consider using an automatic medicine dispenser. Still, if he fails to take the med, the caregiver receives an alert.

Communication and Social Connection: Key to A Healthy Life

Residents like Mr Wilson might feel lonely when living in a care home. Technology has a solution for that as well. Residents can use video calling apps like Zoom, WhatsApp, and FaceTime to connect with their friends and family. They can share little moments of joy and happiness, which couldn't have been imagined 20 years ago.

Moreover, older people can join virtual quiz sessions to participate in puzzle-solving games and memory-based games. Virtual Reality devices allow users to embark on a virtual trip that can completely change their mood.

Furthermore, interactive robots like Pepper have been used to keep residents engaged. Pepper has been used for various purposes, including playing music, assisting with tasks, and creating a light mood for the residents. The opportunities are limitless; all you have to do is look for them.

Aiming for a Safe and Secure Environment

Safety for the older people is the most essential part of a care home facility. With the advanced technology, older people now feel safer than ever. It can be as simple as using a fall detection sensor or pulse monitoring device - a data-driven alert system has proven effective in keeping older people safe. These smart devices and sensors enable care providers to remotely monitor each patient, allowing them to reach the patient quickly when help is needed.

Besides, voice-activated smart devices allow older people to have control of the room's ambience. It makes them feel independent and will enable them to exercise their autonomy.

Challenges for Modern Elderly Care Homes

Despite the benefits of modern technology in care homes, it comes with a few challenges:

Resistance to change: Residents and caregivers might struggle to adopt the new technologies for their benefit. Especially for the elderly residents who might find it challenging to learn how to control the room temperature using voice commands or use the automated medicine dispenser, rendering the technology ineffective.

Technical issues: Even with state-of-the-art devices, the risk of technical failure remains. An excessive reliance on technology may lead to a neglect of patient care.

Privacy concerns: In the UK, protecting the personal medical data of residents is of paramount importance. But with the use of technology and monitoring devices, the personal data of residents might be compromised.

In a Nutshell

Whatever technology you use to improve the lifestyle of older residents, it may come with some challenges. This is why you need to develop an ecosystem where technology and human staff work in complement. Residents feel safe and independent, living a sustainable life.