Finding and creating the ideal living environment in senior years can be difficult. Family members moving out and creating their own lives can be quite a change in your life. This also increases the risk of falling and other health risks.
Dangers of Elderly living alone
As distressing as it is, the truth is that our bodies begin to perform at lower levels as we age. Aging individuals frequently notice that their bones are getting weaker, their muscles are weakened, their balance is not right and their responses are slowing. All of the above combine to increase the likelihood of falling and other risky mishaps. Every year, over one-third of all seniors in the United States die. Approximately half of all falls requiring hospitalization occur at home. Every year, over one-third of all seniors in the United States die. Approximately half of all falls requiring hospitalization occur at home.
But smart home monitoring for the elderly is a great choice to help the family members keep an eye on the elders and to give them peace of mind to live at home, even if it’s alone.
Home monitoring
Home surveillance is a system that analyzes the daily behaviors of elders using motion sensors and warns you or others who care for them in times of need or as unusual tendencies in behavior are discovered (e.g. if no movement is recorded for an extended period of time). All devices that monitor elders are unique but they generally track :
- Comfort
- Health
- Location
- Safety
- Wellness
Elder monitoring devices collect a variety of data, including mobility, behavioral and sleep habits, temperature, and more. Many devices have emergency buttons on them, or they use sensors to detect emergencies like falls or fires. Also, calls to the police or family members can usually be made directly, depending on the elderly monitoring system.
How to choose the best alert system
When choosing the best alert system bear in mind your loved one’s needs and of course your personal budget, as well as the versatility of the device.
Questions to keep in mind:
- Does it have home security monitoring for fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide?
- Does it need to be charged daily?
- Where is it installed or attached?
- How does it operate?
- Is it waterproof?
- Are there any recurring data costs or other contractual requirements?
- Does it have fall detection or prevention?
- Is the information on the device secured?
- Will relatives be able to get connected to the device?
- What is the connectivity, mobility, and range of the sensor?
Ambient sensing
Ambient sensors are devices that can detect several physical phenomena in their environment. In ambient sensing, a variety of sensors collaborate to generate data. There are different types of ambient sensors but some of the most common forms of ambient sensors are:
- Temperature sensors
- Pressure sensors
- Water sensors
- Object sensors
Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors
If seniors living alone have a hearing problem then installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is a must. These devices must also be able to alert people despite their hearing loss. Alarms that use flashing lights to wake up the person are available. The sound of a smoke alarm now activates vibration notification appliances such as pillows or bed shakers. Carefully purchase technology that bears the label of a reputable testing laboratory. Smoke detectors should be inspected at least once a month. Replace smoke alarms and hearing aids as recommended by the manufacturer for those who are deaf or have hearing impairments.
There are a lot of things you can do that can help seniors who live alone but keeping their house monitoring is one of the best things you can do. This way they will feel better knowing that you are with them even if not physically, giving you peace of mind.