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If you’ve been spinning around on this great, blue marble for decades, you have seen a lot of changes take place. Although some of the changes may cause you concern, you have to admit that modern technology has made daily life a lot easier now than it was a century ago.
If you plan to age in place, it may be time to embrace some of this modern technology. Not only will it make your daily life a lot easier, but it also may enable you to live independently longer than you would without some of these devices. It also is more affordable than you think. You can compare Life Alert costs here on our site.
Here are some of the best tech tools for senior citizens.
Apple iPad or Amazon Kindle
Are you having a difficult time reading that tiny text in your favorite book, magazine, or newspaper? It’s time to get an Amazon Kindle or a Apple iPad. The bright screen and the large font settings will enable you to read the articles as easily as you did when you were in your twenties.
Don’t worry, there are plenty of free books and news available. Ask your grandchild to connect your device with your local library. You can check out books or audiobooks without even leaving your favorite recliner. And your family members will be happy that you aren’t risking a fall by walking outside on icy mornings to retrieve your daily newspaper.
Automated Medication Dispensing Service
Do you have a complicated medication regiment? Do your pillboxes leave you confused?
If you need to take medication at several different times throughout the day, you may want to invest in Philips’ Automated Medication Dispensing Services.
You provide your medication schedule to Philips, and a technician will program the dispenser for you. After the medication is loaded into the machine, you will hear a reminder. With the press of a button, the right medication is dispensed from the machine for you to take.
You won’t have to wonder if you have already taken your pills or not. The machine will remember for you.
The dispenser is also connected with a telephone line. If you miss a dose, your caregiver will be notified.
Medical Alert Devices
Medical alert devices have come a long way since, “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!” Systems are smarter than ever before, and they are much more affordable.
Medical Guardian and Philips Lifeline both cost around $30 per month, and you can cancel any time.
Both the Medical Guardian’s systems and Philips Lifeline’s work off a cellular network, and both offer versions with GPS Medical Alert Tracking Systems.
Unfortunately, some seniors who fall are not able to press a button to notify a loved one. Luckily, both companies, as well as others, have fall detection services. Your caregiver will be notified by the monitoring center if you are having a medical emergency whether you are able to press your medical alert button or not.
You may not anticipate needing a Medical Alert System, but wearing one will give you and your family peace of mind.
Smart Speakers
Voice assistants like the Amazon Echo or Google Home can be used as a safety feature and also a fun, virtual companion.
Have you ever fallen asleep in your favorite chair only to wake up in a pitch, black dark room? Instead of fumbling around for your lamp, you can turn on a light with a simple voice command.
Your virtual speaker can let you know the date and time, the weather, or the year when a historic event took place. You will have fun experimenting with your new virtual friend. And when you discover that you can run a vacuum by just speaking a simple phrase to your virtual assistant, your life will be complete!
It’s time to embrace living in the 21st Century. Start utilizing technology today.
Featured Image Credit: geralt / Pixabay
