Why elder care technology is a must

Singapore has one of the fastest-growing ageing populations globally. On top of that, life expectancies continue to rise. By 2040, the average lifespan of a Singaporean will be 85.4 years, the 3rd longest globally. But while Singaporeans live longer, they also spend more time in ill health.

As a country, adopting assistive technology is necessary to alleviate stress on the healthcare system. This helps us provide quality elder care services on a larger scale, helping caregivers and healthcare providers to meet the demands of the growing elderly population. One promising technology is the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) in elder care facilities.

The beauty of the Internet of Things lies in its simplicity and connectivity. It can enhance our daily lives and integrate seamlessly with other technologies. Monitoring vitals, tracking activity and steps, and reminders to take breaks or get moving are just some of the features IoT enables. This has vast potential for elder care and improving the quality of life for seniors. Let's take a look at some examples.

As we age, our bodies tire more quickly. We may start to neglect the physical activities that we used to enjoy or find easy. Over time, this causes a decline in both physical and mental well-being. Lack of physical activity reduces muscle mass, which can impair a person's mobility. Impaired mobility often hurts one's perceived self-esteem and sense of autonomy.

Can the Internet of Things really help Senior Care?

IoT can be used for health monitoring and preventive measures by integrating wearables with databases. Smart bands can remind seniors to take their medicine on time, improving medication adherence. When connected to Automated Medication Management systems in healthcare facilities, they can remind nurses when to administer medication, what medication to administer, and even verify the patient-medication match.

IoT-enabled wearable devices are a game-changer for health and well-being, particularly for seniors. That more vulnerable to heart failure, seizures, or falling. Continuous monitoring of a patient's vitals enables prompt detection of irregularities and potential health risks. This speeds up medical decision-making and intervention, which greatly benefits eldercare facilities.

In addition to health improvement, wearable technology has many other exciting features. They can be used to promote social engagement through games, and activity trackers can be integrated with a reward system or leaderboard.

Wearables can also be used for access control or patient monitoring by functioning as a digital tag. Integrating wearables with access management systems can enhance and enforce premise security. Integration with care management systems can make wearables a crucial tool in fall prevention and detection or wander management in seniors with dementia.

For IoT systems to benefit elder care, it is vital to consider the industry's needs and concerns. Senior care facilities must partner with the right solution provider. Some key considerations include data security, usability, and inclusive design (mainly if the solution is for seniors)!

Our Commitment

As a DPTM-certified company, Werkdone is committed to building secure digital solutions for our clients. To facilitate ease of adoption, we take an empathetic and research-based approach to developing solutions for clients in the healthcare and senior care sectors. Visit our website for more information on our Senior Care and Smart Healthcare Solutions, or drop us a message here!