The 4 Best Types of Technology for Caregivers

Whether you’re caring for an elderly family member or an individual with a specific medical condition, tracking health metrics can help you monitor how well the body is functioning. Some caregiver tools, like thermometers, are classic health devices to have on hand for observing fevers and signs of illness. While other tools, like pulse oximeters, are more critical when caring for people with specific lung or heart issues. Having health tracking tools at home, like blood pressure monitors, can also help you avoid unnecessary trips to a clinic. With a variety of options for health tracking, you can find easy-to-use and compact devices for many common conditions.

Health monitoring tools that connect to smartphone apps can be especially useful for caregivers because they often collect and keep data from past results. For example, some glucose monitors automatically keep records of past blood sugar tests, so if the person you’re caring for has diabetes, you can quickly review their past glucose levels and spot any significant changes. And if you want to measure and record several health metrics at once, you can find fitness trackers that collect data on activity levels, heart rate, sleep cycles and more.

Often, people that require care can have difficulties with mobility, making trips to the doctor’s office challenging for both individuals and caregivers. Fortunately, there are now several options for accessing virtual medicine from the comfort of your home. Virtual doctor’s appointments won’t be appropriate for every instance, but telemedicine can provide great convenience for check-ups and discussions with your doctor.

First and foremost, you’ll want to confirm that the individual you’re caring for has a health care plan that includes and covers telemedicine. After that, preparing for a virtual doctor’s appointment can be quick and easy. To communicate with a healthcare provider, you’ll need a computer or tablet that can connect to the internet. You could even use a smartphone for these appointments — almost any device with a camera and microphone can work. You’ll also want to ensure that your Wi-Fi connection is strong and reliable to avoid video or audio interruption. If your device has an ethernet port, ethernet cables are a great way to strengthen your connection. Once you’ve secured your internet, you can schedule a virtual appointment to meet with a doctor from the convenience of your home.

As a caregiver, there may be times when you’re out of reach or busy with another task. For these moments, home automation and senior care technologies can provide invaluable convenience for you and the person you care for. Smart speakers and displays can respond to voice commands, so you can control lights, make calls, ensure security and more with your voice. These devices can also be controlled by the person you’re caring for, so they can have opportunities for independence without your assistance.

Besides being easy to control from a distance, you can also use smart lights to assist with sleep schedules and enhance visibility for people with vision impairment. And elements of smart security can help monitor home activity to ensure the people you care for are always safe, even if you’re not there. One of the most beneficial aspects of home automation is that it can make technology easier to use for older adults who need care. With a tablet and a voice command, they can call and connect with loved ones to reduce feelings of isolation, build community, and access emergency resources.