Seniors are at risk of falls and serious injuries due to mobility issues that make it difficult for them to maintain their balance. In the past, not much could be done to prevent falls except providing assistance in slippery areas and watching for hazards blocking the walkway. However, technology is starting to change everything when it comes to fall prevention. Caregivers can use some of these innovative pieces of technology to prevent their senior loved ones from falling and injuring themselves.
Sensitive Shoes
A device similar to GPS tracking instruments is now being used to pick up on subtle signs a senior may be about to fall. If the shoes do detect changes in a senior’s movements that indicate the danger of a potential fall, an alarm is sent to a member of the senior’s medical team or his or her caregiver. This way, someone may be able to get there in time to prevent the fall or provide immediate aid if a fall occurs.
Falls and injuries are some of the many issues older adults may have to experience. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality home care. Lincoln families trust in Home Care Assistance to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably.
The B-Shoe
The B-shoe works similarly to smart sensors, but it takes things one step further by helping seniors regain their balance. The shoes are equipped with sensors that detect pressure from the senior’s foot along with his or her movements. When the sensors detect a fall may be imminent, they gently roll the shoes slightly backward until the senior regains balance. The special algorithms that detect falls ensure the shoe only performs this movement when a senior is in danger of falling.
Fall Risk Assessment Software
The future has arrived when it comes to identifying seniors who are most at risk for falling. Today, special devices combined with software can be used to perform tests on seniors that give caregivers a better understanding of their loved one’s likelihood of falling. These types of software work by monitoring a senior’s reflexes and flexibility. The data collected is then compared to other statistical information to provide a full picture of a senior’s ability to balance and respond to changing circumstances while walking and standing.
Investing in technology is one of the many ways to ensure fall prevention. A professional caregiver can assist your senior loved one with an array of tasks and significantly reduce his or her risk of falls. If your senior loved one needs hourly or live-in care, Lincoln Home Care Assistance can help. Our caregivers can assist with exercise and mobility, prepare nutritious meals, provide timely medication reminders, and help with a wide array of other important daily tasks.
Smart Floors
Although shoe sensors can prevent falls, seniors might not always wear those shoes indoors. For this reason, scientists have developed a carpet that contains special fibers that can pick up a senior’s movements in real time. The data is then transferred to software that sends an alert to caregivers when it predicts a fall might occur. In addition to smart carpet, there are also special sensors that can be placed in hard floor areas that pick up the vibrations of a fall and send an automatic alert to the caregiving team. Although this might not prevent a fall, it does allow caregivers to provide seniors with immediate care that may minimize the long-term effects of potential injuries.
Caring for a senior loved one and reducing his or her risk of falls and injuries can be challenging at times. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Lincoln, CA, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity. To create a customized in-home care plan for your senior loved one, give us a call at (916) 226-3737 today.