Long-distance caregiving is increasingly common among caregivers today, but it comes with a set of unique challenges. To help manage caregiver responsibilities from a distance, many caregivers are turning to senior monitoring sensors. These systems can help alert caregivers to potential safety issues – even from a geographical distance.
Learn more about these devices and how they can help give long-distance caregivers peace of mind.
A long-distance caregiver is defined as someone who lives an hour or more away from the person who needs care.
The National Institute on Aging estimates there are nearly 7 million long-distance caregivers in the United States.
Long-distance caregivers rely on technology to help them perform caregiving duties like medication management, learning more about treatment plans, searching for services, and ultimately, to gain more control of their loved one’s safety.
One technological device aimed at giving long-distance caregivers peace of mind is a senior monitoring sensor. These are devices designed to track the comfort, health, location, safety and wellness of a senior loved one, giving caregivers and medical professionals more insight into their everyday life.
They can be used both at home or in a senior living community, depending on the community’s regulations.
Are there monthly data fees or other contractual obligations?
Do you need the system to call for help?
Does it have fall detection or prevention?
Does it have home security monitoring for fire, carbon monoxide and smoke?
Does it need to be charged daily? Will it need to be updated regularly?
How is worn or attached to your loved one?
Is the information on the device secured and do you trust the company to protect private information?
What is the connectivity, mobility and range of the sensor?
Will family members be able to connect to the device?
Aeyesafe Monitoring Alert System is a sound and thermal monitoring system that provides current and historical data while protecting privacy. The system does not require human intervention for monitoring, which encourages independence. It allows the user to request help if needed through voice activation. Using heat and sound monitors, the device can provide the user with a body temperature analysis, a sleep analysis, an alert to a potentially dangerous situation or anything outside of normal behavior. Aeyesafe is not a wearable device, but is voice-activated and has a substantial battery and power supply to detect an emergency and report a situation to the caregiver.
Alarm.com Wellness is a partner to Alarm.com, a home security system. The two systems work together to provide a comprehensive insight into the behavior and safety of seniors living on their own. The tracker can alert caregivers of abnormal behavior patterns, including leaving the home at odd hours or wandering, in addition to light, temperature and security settings. The system can also be paired with personal emergency response (PERS) pendants. The tracker provides caregivers insights into activity levels, bathroom use, eating habits, medication management, sleep patterns and more.
Lively Mobile works to connect caregivers and seniors by an emergency response button that will alert caregivers of an issue. This sensor also has fall detection, is waterproof and easy for seniors to wear. It is available as a watch and can provide activity alerts, family alerts and medication reminders. Activity sensors placed around the home can link to the watch and notify caregivers if pillboxes, refrigerator doors, shower doors, or other objects the user would move on a daily basis open and close. Once the device detects a pattern of behavior, it can also detect any abnormalities and contact a caregiver. The device’s emergency response button will notify a call center that will attempt to contact the caregiver in that instance. If the caregiver cannot be reached, they will call emergency services.
Have you used a senior monitoring sensor in your caregiving journey? Share your experiences and stories with us in the comments below.