A Quick Rundown on How Technology Impacts the Elderly Care Services

A report released by Australian Government Department of Social Services stated that 13% of Australians are above 65 now and the number will increase by 25% till 2047. This continuous increase and improvement in the living conditions which increases the life expectancy indicates that the aged care facilities are soon going to have many customers. However, to ensure that elderly care is of high quality and properly regulated, the government has devised many rules and regulations for the service providers.

With the view to offer enhanced elderly care services while abiding by the stringent government rules and policies, the aged care service providers are resorting to seeking help from technology. They are trying to automate the mundane process and offer advanced tools to their staff so that they can focus on just serving the senior and not on the other non-productive tasks.

Before understanding the use of a particular technology which is IoT in the aged care, let’s talk about how the bunch of technologies is helping the institution to improve their elderly care services.

• Tailor a personalised experience for the elderly:

With cloud-based practice management solutions such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Field Service, you can offer remote care and also maintain bookings and appointments. Since all the information regarding any patient is stored on the cloud, the field staff can access it from any device and location. Furthermore, the data on cloud is secured so you don’t have to worry about the theft of your customer’s confidential data. With this level of mobility, you don’t have to remain glued to your desk to answer any elderly’s query. Also, this type of immediate care boosts patient engagement and creates an optimum experience for the seniors.

• Enable the seniors:

Wearable technology and other smart devices enable aged to become independent and since these devices are constantly connected with you, you can immediately send help in case of any emergency. Biosensors can track health signals of any elderly and keep updating the same to concerned caregivers. In case if there is any disturbance found in these signals, then nearby hospitals can also be notified automatically. Also, with the use of smart home integration systems you can remain notified if any senior hasn’t done any usual activity such as opening the fridge door.

• Get detailed insights about the aged:

Cloud based solutions enable the professionals to communicate and collaborate with the health care facilities and gain detailed insights of the elderly’s medical history if there is any. The instant communication between the field staff and the hospital is helpful when the senior has complex care needs.

How is IoT revolutionising the elderly care services?

• Healthcare Applications:

The IoT devices are engineered to monitor the medical compliances and some body vitals such as heart rate, blood pressure, sugar levels and more. Since the seniors can enter their glucose levels on regular intervals through IoT devices it becomes easy for the care givers/hospital staff to figure if there are any changes required in their regular course of medicine. Furthermore, the results are generated in easy to understand format hence seniors and the caregivers can take decisions and actions without much delay.

• Remote Monitoring Tools:

The IoT connected devices such as coffee machines send signals to the care givers and the elderly’s family members to notify them that there is no unusual activity. Some of the IoT powered devices can remind the seniors to have a regular dose of medicines which if forgotten can exacerbate the condition. The smartwatches and fitness trackers can monitor the regular activities of the seniors and call for medical services when required. Furthermore, some IoT devices are designed to click photos of the seniors and send to the family members or care givers. The same devices offer a text interface to the seniors to talk with their family members which again creates an amicable atmosphere for the elderly.

• Analysis Tools:

Using IoT and other predictive analytics, the aged care centers can extract required information and identify health problems. The analysis tools help providers spot the pattern and become proactive when it comes to offering palliative care to the seniors. The data collecting devices which are also a result of the IoT technology is used to keep a track of the patient’s location and send immediate medical assistance upon requirement.

• Communication Devices:

It is common with the seniors to feel lonely and isolated due to their age when living in an aged care facility. IoT devices make it easy for them to connect with their loved ones with the use of voice commands. With the advancements on the IoT front, senior will soon have access to robot pets with whom they can interact as they do with their family members.

The Final Word

IoT and technologies are not one fix for all the problems that the aged care institutions are faced with when it comes to offering elderly care services. However, it can certainly help the care givers deliver superior quality services. The knowledge about the application of technology will certainly enable you to automate processes and fuse efficiency in operations.

Exigo Tech can help you learn about the right technology mix and also deploy it to suit your needs. To schedule an appointment with us call 1300 EXIGOTECH (394 468) or drop us an email at .