Monitoring the elderly members of our house can be a challenging task, especially at night. Many things can go wrong while taking care of seniors. That is why it is essential to stay up to date with what’s happening with your loved ones.
Monitoring the elderly is quite similar to watching over kids. They need the same amount of attention, care, and assurance. Nevertheless, not all elderly people are the same. Some can take care of most of their tasks and are against the idea of having any sort of help around. Others need someone to tend to help them tend to their tasks and want to have someone around to talk to. Moreover, if an elderly person is suffering from a condition or a disease, the task of the caregiver gets even more difficult.
Take Care of Yourself
The first thing that you need to do before offering help is to make sure you are your best self. It is a great task to take care of the elderly, and in our society, it is more of a duty than a task. Nevertheless, it does come with mental strains. Sometimes taking care of a single person can take a toll on your health. Therefore, you must take full care of yourself before taking care of the elderly.
The other side of the spectrum is not a healthy option. When you have not had a good night’s sleep and have to tend to your caregiving job, accidents are more likely to happen. Similarly, if you are too strained and don’t have a piece of mind, you are more likely not to do your job correctly, which will not only affect the elderly but you as well.
What Can You Do?
There are tons of Elderly monitoring systems available in the market. You can find and choose one that suits your needs the best. Whether you are looking for 24*7 monitoring or part-time, there is an option available for you. Moreover, the monitoring systems are cost-efficient and long-lasting, so you don’t burn a hole in your pocket.
When Caregivers and Elders Live Apart
When you, as a family member, have to live apart from their elderly family members, a monitoring system can be a right choice. Called Medical Alert System, there have been many companies around specializing in these products. Usually, the system comes with a button that is provided to the seniors. If the seniors need help, they can press the button. Some of these buttons are even motion-sensitive and can detect a fall.
These buttons are connected to a base station, which is then connected to a home phone line. During an emergency, the system alerts an operator at the company’s call center. They will then take the necessary action to curb the situation. If the requirement is for something simple, such as a locked door or a need for a ride, the company will contact a predetermined person for help.
Many companies provide these services. Since they require a service contract, you must be careful over choosing any of these companies. If you are not careful, you might end up in a long-term contract over a service you don’t want.
Caregivers and Elders Living Together
When a senior requires more hands-on care, the family members can put the loved ones in a care facility. There is also an option for the senior and caregiver to live together.
Choice for Live-in Caregivers
As a live-in caregiver, your choices will differ according to the condition of the elderly. If the elderly member is not suffering from any serious condition or does not require medical supervision, you might not need any technology at all.
If you are going to go the monitoring way, baby monitors are an efficient option. Nowadays, baby monitors come with a range of features, including video, audio, intercom, smartphone sync, and night vision. Moreover, there are companies that offer unique monitoring systems that cater to elderly people.
There is also an option for wireless doorbells. All you need to do is place a unit anywhere in your house where the elderly member can access it. When they need help, they can press the button, and you would hear the ringtone and be on your way to help.
Find What Suits Your Needs
There are no accurate answers as to what you might need in order to take care of the elderly family member. You will have to go through many options and understand which one suits your need the best. It is not that difficult to find a technology and stick to it. All you need is to figure out whether technology helps you take care of your loved ones while making it less strainful for you.
