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Caregiving is increasingly high-tech. Start-ups
addressing the health of people 50-plus received $1.3
billion in funding by midyear 2015 alone, according
to a recent report. “We have barely scratched the
surface of what might be possible,” concluded the
experts at a 2014 National Alliance for Caregiving
roundtable discussion on technological supports for
family caregivers.
But be aware: “Tech sometimes can reduce
caregiver stress and give greater peace of mind.
But many products sound better on paper than in
practice,” says San Francisco geriatrician and tech
blogger Leslie Kernisan. Ideally, she says, you want
a device that’s easy to both set up and use. Get the
endorsement of a friend who’s tried it, if you can, and
look for products that are refundable if they don’t
work to your liking.
Many caregivers already rely on existing
technology, like baby monitors in bedrooms or door
chimes for Alzheimer’s wanderers.
Among the newer products designed just
for eldercare:
Invisible GPS
Caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease worry
about their loved one wandering away or getting
lost. Smartphones contain GPS, but many people
with dementia don’t carry them, and they may
dislike or discard special monitoring jewelry. GPS
SmartSoles hide their tracking devices in shoe
inserts. Downside: They’re pricey ($299 plus fees
and a data service plan) and require recharging.
One-stop organizer
One source of caregiver stress is the sheer amount
of information to track and, if you’re in a big family,
to communicate with others. AARP Rx is a free
app that helps you organize prescription lists and
contacts and helps you share information with
family members. You can access everything from
your computer, smartphone or tablet, and a handy
feature allows you to record medication information
by taking a picture of the bottles. (Bonus: You can
keep track of your own health care info in the same
place and set access limits for privacy.)
Wireless blood pressure monitoring
Multiple readings taken at home tend to provide
a more accurate picture than a single doctor’s
office check, where “white coat hypertension” can
spike numbers. Many caregivers dislike fiddling
with smartphone apps that record readings and
upload them to doctors. Blip BP by BlipCare is the
These gadgets
can make life
easier for you &
your loved one
by Paula Spencer,
AARP Bulletin, November 2015
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