Senior Care Technology Review: Tablets, Emergency Apps, and Mobile Care

The senior care industry is increasingly relying on technology to better meet the needs of elders both in senior living facilities and at home. Here are some gadgets, applications, and systems that might be on caregivers’ Christmas lists this year:

1. Memo Touch: The iPad for Seniors

This tablet, a tech gadget similar to the iPad, is designed for seniors with short-term memory loss and provides reminders for to-do lists, taking medication, or keeping scheduled appointments. The Memo Touch also allows seniors or their caregivers to coordinate calendars and schedules, and is marketed as easy-to-use even for those without computer knowledge or skills.

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2. Presto: Elder 911 & Elder 411 Applications for the iPhone

Developed by a gerontologist and Presto Services, Inc., these apps provide convenient mobile access to a variety of advice and insights for those who provide care and support to the elderly. Elder 411 is a resource for on-the-spot caregiving information and for planning ahead, covering a full spectrum of caregiving issues including managing financial and legal needs, considering housing options, and keeping the home safe. Elder 911 is for emergency situations like a fall or sudden illness, and provides important information for navigating a variety of crises.

3. eCaring: Home Health Care Management System

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eCaring LLC recently launched a home health care management and monitoring system that coordinates seniors’ information about care, conditions, activities, and status among family members, home care providers, and doctors. The system utilizes digital media to allow home care providers to quickly and easily track a patient’s comprehensive information and share it with others outside of the home.

4. Virtual Health: Remotely Monitor Patients’ Vital Signs

Virtual Health now provides subscription-based services that are available nationwide to assist family members caring for seniors who are living independently at home. The platform works directly with an individual’s primary care physician, and allows for monitoring a patient’s vital signs such as blood pressure, weight, and glucose; it also includes video-conferencing technology capabilities.

5. Verizon Wireless: Digital Healthcare Suite for Mobile Care Management

Verizon Wireless has released a virtual care solution that uses smartphones, tablets, and video technology to provide a tool that virtualizes a heatlhcare visit, eliminating the need to physically visit a doctor’s office for routine consults. It allows healthcare professionals instant access to patient health records, images, and clinical reference information, leveraging high-speed mobile networks and devices to enable greater efficiency and productivity among clinicians.

Written by Alyssa Gerace