Technological Advances in Senior Home Care

It can be painful watching the ones that you love age. As their physical capabilities begin to decline, you may feel like all of the pressure is on you to provide them with the care that they need. While live-in facilities do offer medical care, they require you to uproot your loved one from the environment that they’re comfortable in. Luckily, there is another way to get your aging family member the care they need. In-home care in Fullerton provides quality health services to seniors from their own home. With technology continually advancing, these at-home programs can provide the same top-notch care that your loved one would receive at other health care facilities.

Video Conferencing

As your loved one ages, you’ll find that their need for medical attention increases. When you have questions or simply need to check in with a physician, the advent of video conferencing has revolutionized in-home patient care. Now, instead of having to transport your loved one to the actual facility, you can use your phone, tablet, or computer to speak with physicians. While this service isn’t a substitute for physical checkups, it’s a great way to get answers if you have a quick question.

Better Medication Management

A study performed by AARP stated that most Americans over the age of 45 take, on average, 4 medications each day. This amount increased exponentially as the test subjects aged. It’s probable that your loved one is taking numerous medications a day. Because it’s estimated that over 60 percent of prescribed medications aren’t taken according to the doctor’s instructions, it’s important to monitor consumption carefully. With new technology and systems, it’s easier to organize medications, administer pills, and alert your loved one when it’s time for another dose. These types of medication organizational systems are key in reducing injuries and preventing hospitalization.

Personal Safety

Safety is one of the biggest concerns of those families who opt for in-home healthcare. Because your loved one isn’t residing in a home specifically designed for the elderly, it’s normal to be concerned for their wellness. Luckily, technology has solved this issue. Personal response systems are devices that allow patients and family members to call for help remotely. They come in the form of buttons, pendants, keychains, and remotes. These systems are placed around the home to ensure that your loved one always has access to one of these signals. Once pressed, help will be dispatched to your house immediately.

Telehealth

Perhaps one of the biggest advancements for in-home medical treatments is the introduction of telehealth systems. These cutting-edge monitoring systems are capable of monitoring vitals such as temperature, oxygen levels, blood pressure, heart rate, and weight remotely. The stats are then sent wirelessly to a network where it can be reviewed and examined by the necessary physicians. Caregivers and family members also have access to this information, making it easier to create treatment plans and continue care. By using telehealth systems, it’s estimated that a patient’s chance of hospitalization is reduced by more than 50%.

Electronic Scheduling

In-home health care providers are dedicated to the complete care and healing of your loved one. Whether you need them there around the clock or just a few hours a day, it’s important that they stay on top of the schedule you outline. Electronic schedules makes it easy for in-home healthcare agencies to ensure that each licensed professional is where they need to be at the right times to administer medications and care. These schedules can be accessed on mobile devices as well as laptops and desktops, reducing the risk of confusion among providers.

Real-Time Updates

It’s difficult for an in-home healthcare provider to administer care when they don’t have up-to-date information regarding their patient. Now, real-time updates allow providers to locate the latest vital signs and test results regarding each person that they treat. This makes it easier to make treatment decisions and ensure that your loved one receives the care that they need to thrive.

The in-home care solutions in Fullerton that you need may vary based on the condition of your loved one. No matter which treatment plan is necessary, you can bet that technology will be an essential part of the process.