Assistive Technology (AT) is increasingly becoming accepted as a way to help the elderly live a more independent and healthier life. This warm reception comes from both caregivers and seniors alike. An increasing numbers of baby boomers reach retirement each day, and prefer to live at home and be independent for as long as possible. They are at a consumer forefront for a wave of products and services known as “Silver Tech.” Any random Internet search turns up a wealth of products, as well as many currently in development that will soon hit the market in a veritable flood.

The first step in making sense of all these products and services out there is to do a self-check. Then, talk to experts like your occupational therapist who can perform a physical assessment and tell you how to match the needs to products out there.

After you’ve defined that, you’ll find a wealth of products that cut a wide swath across the needs arena. I’ve found the following categories listed on ATwiki useful but not at all totally inclusive:

Low-tech devices: simple products like special seating

Mobility: walkers, wheelchairs

Augmentative communication: voice activated software

Computers: alternative keyboards and mice, and

Electronic aids to daily living (EADLs): Large-button remote controls to full-scale home automation accessed by switch scanning or voice. This includes control of audiovisual equipment, lights, appliances, doors and phones.

I can’t address all of these products here, but will give you a snapshot of the cleverest, most useful and reasonably priced. Let’s start with a few tracking devices which help caregivers keep track of the home-bound from a remote location:

One of my personal favorites in the low-tech area is called the ” Loc8tor.” It helps you actually find objects or even people, within short distances. You attach a tag to the object or person you want tracked. You hold a small hand-held device that looks like a flip-type cell phone. The tag emits a radio-frequency signal within a 600 ft. radius and beeps on the tracker device, helping you locate the object. It also features a “panic tag” which enables a dependent to press a button and call for help, activating an alarm on your tracker. But, as it happens, the system can’t be used to locate the tracker itself (now, where did I put that?).

One high-tech product widely available is the home alert system. Yes, these are the “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” variety we’ve all come to know from numerous comedic send-ups. All jokes aside, this is an important service for anyone living at home alone without full-time care. The customer wears an electronic pendant which when activated places a call to the company. The service is available nationwide. Check Consumer Affairs for a listing of companies they recommend.

In my next AT blog, I’ll discuss the debate raging over microchip implants and their impact on Alzheimer’s patients. Will it be Big Brother, or a high-tech aid?

Filed under: Eldercare, Resources, Sandwich Generation, Technology, Working Caregivers