Ageing is inevitable. As people age, they start to experience a decline in their health. A sedentary lifestyle and increasing loneliness are two prominent factors for deteriorated health among senior citizens. Although the number of hospitals and medical schools has doubled so far, medical service providers are still insufficient to provide senior people with the utmost care. Here comes the role of technology. Medical professionals, in combination with technology, could assist people in staying healthier for longer.
Benefits of technology in senior care
The use of technology in senior care brings innumerable benefits. For instance, it has enabled remote monitoring. Virtual consultations with doctors obviate the need to travel and wait long hours. Patients receive medical attention on time. Similarly, technology helps enhance safety. With the help of wearable devices, your health will be under constant supervision. These technological devices monitor fatal signs and provide emergency services before it is too late.
Technology has also improved communication and engagement. Video calling, messaging apps and social media platforms help senior people stay connected with others. They do not feel isolated from friends and family due to any illness or medical condition. These tools help promote social interaction. Patients feel less depressed and lonely.
Technology also helps medical professionals provide personal care to senior people. Technology has made it possible to forestall serious medical conditions by early detection of symptoms. Aged people could be prevented from becoming the victims of serious health issues. In brief, technology supports proactive intervention.
Another benefit of technology is that it supports effective caregiving. From medication to appointments and from scheduling to documentation, everything has become much easier and faster now. Now, caregivers can focus on providing quality services because remote monitoring reduces their burden. Technology is providing many benefits to maintain and improve senior health care services.
How technology is helping with providing senior care better
Here is how technology is transforming senior care:
- Telehealth virtual video and remote monitoring
Digital health technologies have been adopted to ensure that patients receive the best medical care. It is being challenged to provide all patients with adequate care solutions in hospitals. With the help of digital technology, care is shifted from hospitals to patients’ homes. Now, remote monitoring has become possible. Doctors could conduct a virtual meeting or collect data from wearables. There is no need to go to the hospital every now and then. Patients could have medicines prescribed in the comfort of their houses.
Technology is not a choice but a necessity. In order to reduce the burden of medical services on hospitals, medical practitioners will have to rely on technology. Digital health technologies include but are not limited to:
- Virtual video visits
- Wireless remote monitoring
- Devices to track hypertension and hyperglycemia
- E-consulting with medical experts
In fact, now many researchers are producing apps to help patients manage chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. In fact, some apps and devices are being produced that ensure prevention based on value-based care. Once you know the problem, you will receive the best solution ever.
Tech experts are trying to develop a user-friendly digital solution. Many patients are out there who are hesitant to use tech products. They have some doubts even if they know somehow the use of technology is helping them. Tech experts need to understand what matters to patients. While it is crucial to launch digital products, it is also paramount to make people familiar with them.
- Home hospitals
Medical experts have recently piloted a project called “home hospital,” according to a report by Harvard, in which half of the patients who needed hospitalization were sent back home to receive the same treatment, with daily visits by medical professionals for constant monitoring. One of the benefits of this project was that it whittled down the care cost by 20%. Expensive healthcare services are one of the reasons why people delay their treatments.
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With the help of home hospitals, it was much easier for people to reduce the cost. Another benefit of using this project was that patients managed to sleep better at home and walk around more. They did not feel bound to a bed or a room. Hospitals often frighten patients, but a homely atmosphere keeps them less worried and stressed. In fact, caregivers did not have to make daily trips to the hospital.
Now, health experts are trying to build hospitals without bricks and mortar. This kind of caregiving service is called reimaging. It will make it much easier for medical practitioners to treat sick young adults and senior citizens.
- Assisting devices
Nowadays, senior patients are dependent on technological devices to schedule their appointments and take care of medication, diet, etc. With the help of assisting devices, it becomes much easier for senior people to manage their daily operations effectively. Such assisting devices use artificial intelligence so patients obtain personalized support. The best part about these devices is that they are adapted to individual needs.
These devices do not need you to operate. They are equipped with automated features. These devices also include robots who, in addition to sending you reminders, could also hold conversations with you. Automatic devices will constantly monitor and track your health, send you reminders, and detect emergency situations.
Virtual reality and engagement
Virtual reality could help senior patients overcome the feeling of isolation. This technology makes them connected to the outside world without being outdoors actually. This is a great way to reduce their pain and depression as a result of house arrest. Virtual reality stimulates the brain and eases pain, as well as physical therapy.
In addition, some engaging devices and tools help senior citizens stay engaged and more physically active. There are various apps to promote social interactions, cognitive health and overall well-being. Such people could also remain connected to their loved ones, which makes them less depressed and isolated.
The bottom line
Technology is transforming the way healthcare services are provided to old people. In fact, many people are relying on small loans in Ireland for people with bad credit scores to use devices and tools to improve their overall health. Technology has become a necessity in this day and age. People should learn to adapt to them to live a better quality of life in their golden years.