At St. Mark Village, technology for seniors is helping keep residents safe and more connected than ever, but that’s just the start. It’s also making everyday life easier—and even giving seniors more ways to have fun.
Senior Care Technology Has Come a Long Way
There was probably a time when the word “technology” might have brought to mind the first time you changed a television channel with a remote control (remember having to cross the room and turn the dial?). As elementary as that seems now, it probably felt a bit strange at first. But soon, you considered it a wonderful advancement that made your evenings much more enjoyable.
Today, technology—especially technology for seniors—is moving ahead at a blazing pace. Uses include safety, security, companionship, mental stimulation, wellness, engagement, entertainment, and more.
7 Examples of Senior Care Technology and its Benefits
1. Assistive devices help people who need assistance to hear, see, move, communicate, or perform daily tasks. This can range from a talking thermostat to a telephone with captioning to communication boards to a scooter to an adaptive seat belt.
2. Wearable senior technology, or wearable devices, such as smart phones, smart watches, activity trackers, fall detection devices, and medical monitoring devices provide a means of communication and tracking to help ensure safety and wellbeing.
Wearable devices also include “smart jewelry” that delivers the convenience of monitoring and/or GPS data but still looks fashionable. Another trend is smart clothing; items that have been enhanced with interwoven circuitry or that can be connected to an app or program on a secondary device using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
3. Telehealth. This is one of the shining stars of senior care technology in terms of wellness and safety. A senior who is unable to visit with a physician or medical professional can use one of the forms of telehealth, such as a video conference, secure messaging, or even a telephone call and obtain the information they require. It’s especially valuable for those with mobility issues or who live in rural areas.
4. Remote monitoring. By way of smart home systems as well as special monitoring devices placed in the home by a medical professional, crucial data can be transported in real-time to medical professionals. This gives a patient peace of mind knowing that they are benefiting from 24-hour monitoring that can help to detect issues before they worsen.
5. Robotics. Isolation and loneliness can be very harmful to the health of an older adult who is feeling set apart. Companion robots are designed to offer companionship to seniors who otherwise would be alone. These robots usually resemble a human or a pet, and can be used to play music, provide medication reminders, or serve as listening ear and “talk” to the senior.
6. Smart medication reminders. Taking medications incorrectly can be dangerous, especially when a medication is skipped or taken at the wrong time. An automatic medication dispenser can organize, schedule, and deliver patient medication with the touch of a button.
7. Virtual reality. Seniors who have spent their lives actively engaged in sports, traveling, or other types of adventures have an opportunity to relive some of the excitement and stimulation of these experiences through virtual reality. For example, wearing a virtual reality headset, an older adult can go on a tour of the Eiffel Tower, ride a gondola in Venice, or set out on a mountain trail.
The overall goal of this new senior care technology: enhanced safety and security which results in greater peace of mind for both residents and families. A higher quality of life; improved connection and engagement.
Technology for seniors brings other benefits to residents of senior living communities, such as increased access to healthcare services, more personalized care, more efficient operations, and improved connection and communication throughout the community.
Related: Senior Living Communities Today: So Much More Than You Think!
Senior Care Technology in Action at St. Mark Village
Here are some of the ways St. Mark Village uses senior care technology to enhance safety, security, and peace or mind for residents.
- Entry and access. Residents of St. Mark Village can relax knowing they are living in a space that is well-protected. State-of-the-art cameras use facial recognition technology to ensure a safe perimeter. The same system uses is used to secure areas such as the memory care neighborhood from unauthorized entry or exit. In fact, all visitors to the community are logged in by a camera-enabled system which enhances security.
- Emergency notification. When an emergency occurs, time is of the essence, and the senior care technology at St. Mark Village is ready to respond with real-time messaging to the appropriate teams.
- Personal goods protection. Residents especially appreciate this component of technology for seniors: a secure 24/7 package pickup system. A resident is notified a package is waiting for them and are given a code. The resident then can pick up their package, stored securely in lockers just off the main lobby.
- Secure WiFi. With 250 Wi-Fi access points across the St. Mark Village community campus, residents and staff can log on at their convenience. In addition, they have the peace of mind of knowing an experienced team of professionals are at work to protect against threats to online security and privacy.
- Quick answers. Residents with Amazon Alexa and Echo devices can expand their use to include questions such as “what’s for dinner this evening” or “What are today’s activities?” The device will then speak the answer for the current day, or any date requested. Should a resident use a device with a screen, the answers will appear on that screen.
Related: Hey Alexa! Play Some Beatles! Tech Tips for Seniors to Get the Most From Alexa and Siri
St. Mark Village is always finding new ways to improve resident quality of life. Senior care technology is just one of the many benefits our exceptional lifestyle offers. We invite you to learn more. Find out more about how we’re using the top-tier technology for seniors.
