How Technology Improves Senior Healthcare
The healthcare industry is ever-evolving, and technology is part of that constant acceleration. Tech plays a huge role in senior care, enabling the elderly to keep track of their health in a more streamlined and efficient manner. If you are a senior, or you have an elderly loved one, then you should consider integrating more tech into their lives, and here are some of the ways you can do so. 
Online communities
One of the sad realities about the elderly is that many end up devastatingly lonely. Thankfully, this can be mitigated with the use of online communities. Online communities are all over the Internet, allowing like-minded people to come together to share discussions about their likes and dislikes. For elderly people, this can provide the much-needed key to the outside world by allowing them to communicate with others.
Smartphone apps
These days, there are plenty of old folks who use smartphones. They provide access to apps, which can be used in a variety of ways, including:
- Interactive games
There are tons of app games that help the user keep their cognitive function in check, which is especially handy for the elderly.
- Calendar
As one gets older, it can become difficult to keep up with the varying birthdays and events – smartphone apps have calendars that can send you reminders.
- Medication
The elderly tend to need more medications than the youth, and this can be hard to keep track of. Luckily, phones offer apps that can keep track of when you take them and give you a notification when it’s time to have them.
- Exercise instructor
For many, getting out of the house to exercise can be difficult, but many apps allow users to follow their exercise routines, making it easier for seniors to stay in shape.
The elderly who live in care homes can stay in touch with their loved ones on their smartphones, too, making senior living even more comfortable. While receiving the care they need, they can also stay connected to the outside world.
ERS
Emergency Response Systems are intelligent devices that can detect when a senior requires emergency help. They can also keep a record of data and transfer information to the user’s doctor. This is both handy and increases safety.
Smartwatches
Smartwatches can give medical alerts when the user needs – yes, they live up to the name ‘smart’! Many have an emergency button on hand, and can also measure heart rate, monitor cellular activity, and even detect falls! Have a look around for the best smartwatches for seniors, and provide them with technology that could save their lives.
Healthcare specific technology.
While a lot of the tech in this list is designed for personal use, it is important not to disregard the fact that tech utilised by healthcare professionals is also useful when it comes to improving senior healthcare. For example, a radiology pacs (Picture archiving and communication system), is perhaps the perfect example of beneficial technology – from the perspective of both the senior patient and the person in charge of their care. After all, by using a radiology PACS, radiologists and physicians can access the results of any radiology tests, such as MRIs as quickly as possible. This means that they can provide patients (including seniors) with the support they need sooner, rather than later by making a diagnosis and curating a treatment plan.
Smart home tech
Smart home tech makes daily living that much easier. With devices such as Alexa and Google, you can seek the help of a robot from the comfort of your home! This increases well-being and even provides a companion for seniors living alone.
Technology plays a vital role in the healthcare industry, and, if used correctly, can improve the lives of seniors tremendously.
