If you think of any sector of the community, any age bracket, any industry, you would be able to name at least one way – and probably many more – that technology has helped and has improved lives and businesses. When it comes to those living in assisted care communities, that is no different; technology is giving them a chance to live full and active lives no matter what their age or even if they suffer from a health condition. Read on to find out how.
Acoustic Listening Devices
An assisted living resident can have technology fitted in their room (only with their consent, of course) that will ensure they are monitored without being disturbed. These devices are acoustic listening devices, and they are a means for staff to be able to check in on each resident without having to actually patrol the rooms or even enter them unless they are required to.
Not only does this help keep the residents safe, but it also means they can have a more restful night without being disturbed, and they can have independence and privacy as required. It’s the ideal compromise when it comes to care.
Specialist Apps
Many people now have some kind of handheld device, such as a smartphone or tablet. As you know, you can install apps on these devices to make various areas of life easier, from ordering food to paying bills. In an assisted living community, the same can be said. A variety of apps can be installed that will help residents live their lives and will help staff take care of them. As Brightview assisted living in Baltimore has seen, something that residents value highly is their privacy and independence, and these apps will allow this to be a priority.
Staff can also use these or similar apps to input data about each resident, which will help to identify activities to suggest to them and enable medication to be distributed in the right way, for example.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine means a doctor can care for their patients remotely and won’t have to visit the assisted living community. Using either phone calls or video calls, the doctor can assess the patient, listen to what they have to say, ask questions, and often diagnose them and prescribe medication or send them for a referral.
The fact that this is done remotely means that the doctor is able to see more people in a shorter space of time, increasing everyone’s chances of getting help exactly when they need it. It also means that a doctor’s assistance can be found more quickly. If the doctor feels that a visit to the patient is necessary, this can still happen, of course, but the initial assessment will already have been made, and that will speed things up considerably.
Video Calling
Video calling doesn’t have to be reserved for a doctor’s appointment; it can be used to keep residents in touch with friends and family members. There has been an increase in this kind of technology in recent months, with more user-friendly apps being rolled out to ensure that everyone has access to a way to see their loved ones even if they are unable to visit.
This kind of technology improves lives considerably, as human interaction is something that can boost happiness and wellbeing levels and even relieve stress and pain.
