New Year, New Tech Tools for Seniors

During the pandemic, our  home health care team discovered firsthand how crucial the role of technology is in the lives of seniors. As we kick off 2021 and face the challenges of a new year, health and well-being are at the forefront of how we consider technology for seniors. In the new year, it’s expected that these tech tools for seniors will be the ones to consider. 

Video Conferencing Software

The necessity of staying connected when we can’t physically be near our loved ones has been a lesson learned for individuals of all ages in 2020, and is even more essential for senior adults. Tools like Zoom, Skype, and Google Hangouts empower older adults to stay in touch with their family and friends, be a part of remote book clubs, social groups or classes, and help stop feelings of isolation and loneliness. Additionally, as virtual health care appointments increase in popularity among both physicians and patients, apps like FaceTime and Skype are replacing telemedicine platforms to provide more convenience for seniors. 

Alexa Care Hub

“Alexa, check in on Dad!” As part of Amazon’s hospitality suite, the Alexa Care Hub is useful for seniors who live alone or in a community living setting. With features that help caregivers monitor activity and swiftly reach the seniors they care for, the Alexa Care Hub introduces new capabilities in addition to its regular voice assistant offerings. Presently, Amazon Echo devices are used in senior living communities and residential homes across the country with expectations for an increase in demand. The Alexa Care Hub takes things a step further with medication reminders, customized alerts, and quite a few features that enable aging adults to maintain freedom while providing peace of mind to their loved ones. 

Meditation and Mindfulness Apps

Not simply a trend for millennials, mindfulness and meditation apps can help improve focus and sleep, and help seniors develop the skills required to release stress and anxiety. Apps like Headspace, Calm, and The Mindfulness App permit users to customize meditation programs to best suit their needs, giving seniors the ability to establish a personalized routine. Meditation has even been connected to improving both long and short term memory, decreasing loneliness, and boosting cognitive function. 

Smart Home Devices

From home security systems to stoves to medication organizers, there seems to be a smart version of just about every household device these days — and we can plan to see even more smart tools on the market in 2021. Although smart devices are becoming common in our daily lives, it’s important to think about the ways that these voice- and motion-enabled systems allow aging adults to remain independent throughout their daily activities. Bearing this in mind, we expect to see more smart home products created to meet the needs of senior populations while retaining the look and feel of your favorite technology devices. 

At Harmony Home Health & Hospice, the leading providers of home health care in Albuquerque and surrounding areas, connecting with older adults to improve their health is at the root of our mission and beliefs. We see the role technology plays in this mission and invite seniors and their caregivers to contact our home health care team at 1-877-463-3322 for additional information. For a full list of all of the communities we serve in Utah and New Mexico, please see our Service Area page.