How to be a Better Caretaker for a Senior at Home​

If you’re caring for a loved one experiencing memory loss, you’re not alone. Approximately two-thirds of Americans face some level of cognitive decline, often beginning around age 70, according to the National Institutes of Health. With over 80% of affected older adults aging at home, family caregivers play a vital role in ensuring their loved ones’ safety and quality of life. While full-time professional care may be out of reach for some families, affordable solutions exist to provide support. Read more about the best assistive technology for caregivers.

Family Caregiving in the Digital Age

Balancing your peace of mind with your loved one’s wish to age in place can be challenging, but the Digital Age offers new tools to ease the journey. Digital caregiving technology empowers families with real-time insights and smarter care strategies. It addresses the two most pressing questions caregivers ask: “Is my loved one safe and well right now?” and “How can I help my loved one maintain independence for as long as possible?”

Ensuring Safety and Well-Being

For many families, part-time care or periodic visits leave loved ones alone for extended periods, increasing their vulnerability. Cognitive decline doesn’t pause when caregivers step away. Digital Caregivers, advanced home-based technology solutions, monitor loved ones around the clock, alerting caregivers to potential risks via their smartphones. These systems work silently and continuously, detecting behaviors such as wandering, confusion, disrupted sleep, or irregular bathroom habits that may signal the need for immediate attention.

Promoting Independent Living

Behavioral patterns are a powerful indicator of health risks. Digital Caregivers track, analyze, and report these patterns, offering valuable insights into evolving needs. Caregivers can share this data with healthcare professionals to improve diagnosis and treatment, eliminating the limitations of self-reported symptoms or incomplete medical histories.

Choosing the Right Digital Caregiver

Behavior-based Digital Caregivers use advanced monitoring to uncover critical insights. For example, unusual toileting behavior has helped diagnose urinary tract infections and dehydration. Patterns of wandering or nighttime confusion have led to increased social services for older adults. Behavioral symptoms like insomnia or anxiety have prompted diagnoses of sleep apnea and other underlying conditions.

By leveraging this technology, caregivers can provide smarter, more proactive care, ensuring their loved ones’ safety while enhancing their quality of life.

Best Assistive Technology for Caregivers in Maryland

Next Step Partners is dedicated to supporting those approaching retirement, those already retired and adult children or caregivers by offering a range of services designed to ease life’s transitions. From offering the best senior monitoring system in Maryland to real estate consulting through AgentMatch to organizing your documents, we provide tailored support for aging in place, downsizing, and managing the complexities of retirement. We also offer peace of mind tools, like our Personal Information Journal, ensuring that your loved ones have the essential details they need when the time comes. Reach out today to learn more and take the next step towards a secure and fulfilling future! Contact us at (443) 534-6124 or email gary@nextsteppartners.org.

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Next Step Partners offers Assistive Technology for Caregivers