The Vital Role Of Healthcare Apps In Empowering Patients

The Inherent Need For Efficient Senior Care

If it weren’t for technology, senior citizen care would’ve had a very bleak future. Are you wondering why? With the number of senior healthcare assistants dwindling steadily and the COVID19 pandemic posing to be an ominous hurdle, the safety of the senior members of the society has become questionable.

Thankfully technological advancements of the 21st century have bridged the unhealthy chasm, and fortunately, those who have recently stepped into the threshold of seniority are quite tech-savvy. Elderly care is no longer a burden with the latest technology that helps to avoid emergencies caused due to falls in seniors by assisting them in practicing their daily exercises in order to make them stay fit and active. The advent of wearable smart IT devices, mobility solutions, sensors, and hi-tech gizmos and contraptions has simplified senior care, making it easy and efficient for those who look after them.

The tech market has so much to offer to enhance the efficiency of senior care. For the uninitiated, this blog holds a treasure trove of information.

Unlocking The Role Of Healthcare Apps In Empowering Patients

Given the current scenario, healthcare systems worldwide are already stretched beyond their limit, and there is no promise that senior citizens will have access to dedicated caretakers. This exhausted system could benefit immensely with improved accessibility to elderly care tech devices that can boost the well-being of senior citizens. As per the World Health Organization, by 2050, the ratio of caretakers to caregivers for the elderly who fall in 80+ age group will be 3:1

So, what else does the market have in store for senior care? Let’s take a look.

Medical alert devices

Blame it on the modern family system or the ambitious children who seek greener pastures; the number of independent seniors in the society is steadily on the rise. Those who live away from their aging parents can now breathe a sigh of relief, thanks to the numerous medical-alert systems available today.

Procurable in various wearable forms as anklets, bracelets, or simple home units, these devices allow the elderly person to immediately raise the alarm in case of any trouble. This smart technology is also available as attractive watches, pieces of jewelry, or even smartphone apps.

Some of the most recently launched devices are far smarter than their predecessors. These devices are designed to meet the emergency preparedness for senior citizens that monitors the person’s activity levels, heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels instantly. Access to this vital information gives caregivers and seniors a clear picture of their daily health status. Wearable devices also track the location through GPS and alert the caregiver if the person has wandered away from their safety zone. Such devices are a blessing for those handling seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

The Internet of Things

In simple terms, the interconnected web of electronic and digital devices makes up the “Internet of Things.” The use of internet-connected devices is in vogue. It starts with something as simple as your smartphone to the computer system, smart TV, smart home devices, smart car, etc.

By harnessing the potential of the Internet of Things, senior care can be stepped up in many ways. Smart locks and cameras can ensure the safety of seniors who are home alone. Smart sensors alert caregivers if seniors have forgotten to turn off the bedroom light switched or the kitchen faucet. Voice-activated smart assistants like Alexa and Echo are proving to be extremely handy for wheelchair-bound or bedridden seniors.

Telemedicine

In these pandemic-ridden times where it is imperative to keep seniors safe, Telemedicine is a tech advancement that is truly a blessing in disguise. Telemedicine has gained tremendous popularity in the medical world, allowing doctors and medical professionals to continue their treatment and consultations via video conferencing.

With this remote technology, doctors can monitor their senior patients from any location, get regular updates, and give emergency medical advice if the need arises.

Smartphone Apps

Another great advantage is the countless number of apps available today. There is an app for everything, and seniors can download the ones that will benefit them. There are apps to send reminders for medication intake, monitor blood pressure, heart rate, and activity levels, chart out diet programs and share their medical updates with family members and caregivers.

Cloud-based health information tracking systems are a boon for the elderly community to store and access vital health information, medical history, and medical schedules. Smartphone apps that send reminders about medication timings and refill timings are indispensable for all seniors. Such apps not only persistently remind the patients but also lessen the pressure on the caregivers who have to be on alert. These apps have played a huge role in preventing medication errors and incidents of missed medication.

Also Read: Redefining Senior Care With Cutting-Edge Technology

21st-Century Technology: More Of A Boon Than A Bane For Senior Citizens

Nothing can stop the advancement of technology, and it will continue to be an indispensable part of all our lives. Even the World Economic Forum statistics show that 70% of seniors are embracing this growth by staying connected to the internet and being more tech-savvy than ever before. Many elderly citizens are adapting to the convenience and comfort of being technologically connected.

Innovators and entrepreneurs in the health tech industry bear the significant responsibility of designing innovative systems based on growing trends and needs. Technology can make a huge difference in the lives of your elderly family members by improving their life expectancy, safety, health, and social connections, and thereby enhancing their confidence in the later years of their lives.

At REAN Foundation, we offer you a smart healthcare platform that helps seniors monitor their health parameters and get expert consultation easily and quickly from doctors, and diagnostic centers. We empower seniors, along with their family members, to take care of their health independently. To know more, give us a call! We’d be happy to share more details!