Home monitoring
Wouldn't you sleep better knowing your elderly loved one was safe--- even though s/he was living independently? Most older adults don't want to be a burden or an imposition on their children. In addition, they want to live alone and have a certain sense of independence. But how do we reconcile this with having to keep an eye out on them to make sure they haven't fallen, or that they have taken their proper medication, or that they are just ok?
Now new home monitoring products and services are entering the marketplace that will help reconcile these two issues. There have been some home monitoring services available in the marketplace for some time now but they, as with all technology, have been vastly improved. The New York Times article, "In Elder Care, Signing on Becomes a Way to Drop By," provides several examples of home monitoring systems such as QuietCare which is a "home health alarm system provided by ADT Security Services" that works with motion sensors installed throughout your loved one's home. If there are any pattern changes -- such as no one entering/leaving the home (very important if you are expecting a nursing aide to check up on your loved one), taking a long time in the bathroom, not opening the refrigerator door, etc, -- the alarm company will alert you (or the proper designate). In today's world where everything (and everyone) is online, you can also check on your loved one's whereabouts online. Other systems mentioned in the article were SeniorSafe@Home and iCare Health Monitoring.
Now, some may question whether this is invasion of privacy--- especially if you have video cameras installed (in the example given in the article, the daughter had video cameras installed in her father's home). However, it is up to each individual to place the cameras appropriately and only where necessary--- and of course, all this should be discussed with your loved one and have her/his FULL consent and cooperation.
The prices vary for each system – but if you can afford it and it will give you the piece of mind you need to reassure yourself your loved one is doing fine while they have their freedom and independence, don't you think it would be worth it?
Now new home monitoring products and services are entering the marketplace that will help reconcile these two issues. There have been some home monitoring services available in the marketplace for some time now but they, as with all technology, have been vastly improved. The New York Times article, "In Elder Care, Signing on Becomes a Way to Drop By," provides several examples of home monitoring systems such as QuietCare which is a "home health alarm system provided by ADT Security Services" that works with motion sensors installed throughout your loved one's home. If there are any pattern changes -- such as no one entering/leaving the home (very important if you are expecting a nursing aide to check up on your loved one), taking a long time in the bathroom, not opening the refrigerator door, etc, -- the alarm company will alert you (or the proper designate). In today's world where everything (and everyone) is online, you can also check on your loved one's whereabouts online. Other systems mentioned in the article were SeniorSafe@Home and iCare Health Monitoring.
Now, some may question whether this is invasion of privacy--- especially if you have video cameras installed (in the example given in the article, the daughter had video cameras installed in her father's home). However, it is up to each individual to place the cameras appropriately and only where necessary--- and of course, all this should be discussed with your loved one and have her/his FULL consent and cooperation.
The prices vary for each system – but if you can afford it and it will give you the piece of mind you need to reassure yourself your loved one is doing fine while they have their freedom and independence, don't you think it would be worth it?
posted by CareTALKGals(tm) at 2/04/2007 11:48:00 PM
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