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Healthcare Technology for the Elderly
by CodeIT Team Software Development CompanyTime and methods have continuously changed and progressed through the years and living in the 21st century, some of the elderly may feel challenged when it comes to relying on technology heavily and applying it on an everyday basis.
However, with medical software development, technology can help support the health and wellness of our elderly and make aging more comfortable. There are technological solutions that aim to improve the quality of life of senior citizens and look after their state of health especially in times of need.
According to the World Population Prospects, one in six people in the world will be over the age of 65 or 16% of the population by 2050. Hence, the number of persons aged 80 years old and above is projected to triple from 143 million in 2019 to 426 million in 2050. The elderly present a significant population group and it can be very instrumental if technology provides assistance and support in meeting their health needs, making disease diagnosis, self-monitoring, and offering treatment effectively.
Healthcare Digital Technologies for Seniors
Telemedicine Apps - Medical care services are easily acquired; communication and interaction virtually happen instantly through telemedicine applications. It is specifically important for those in the rural areas where access to healthcare is challenging and vital for the elderly who may have a hard time reaching medical facilities. Though it might still be fairly new technology, there are examples of devices that can monitor vital signs and track heart rates like VivoMetrics Lifeshirt. Another example is Lemonaid: Same Day Online Care wherein consultations with doctors can be made through a video call. These types of applications can be very helpful as they provide immediate support to our seniors without them having the need to go out of their comfortable homes.
Medication Apps - It may look simple but medication apps are just as important and essential as other health applications. Taking medications on time and as instructed is essential for the treatment of diseases and effective recoveries. Medication apps offer a lot of different features concerning information about medicines you're taking-- its price and interaction with other drugs. Aside from that, it also has medicine notification and prescription renewal features enhancing users’ experience. Few examples are Lady Pill Reminder for women on the pill and PatientPartner for patient's improved health strategy and information management.
Fall Detectors – Falls can put the elderly at a very high risk of medical concern. Some may even be at grave danger when the fall was bad and could cause permanent damage, especially when not addressed immediately. Wireless fall detectors are capable of detecting falls through the use of sensors designed to detect various radio frequencies. In case a person falls, the sensors detect it, an alert is sent to the central service system to dispatch help immediately. It gives a sense of security to our elderly as this type of technology prevents worst-case scenarios when people are alone.
Wearable Devices – Believed to be common yet powerful, there are the digital health tools that play a significant role in care for the elderly. It is a group of wearable devices. These devices offer customizable features that help the elderly monitor their health. Some examples are smartwatches that can keep track of vital signs, blood oxygen levels, and even sleep activity. Another thing is a wearable dialysis device preventing usual immobilization during dialysis and can even be used anytime, anywhere with its portable feature. Wearable devices make users feel more in control. The features of these wearable devices greatly benefit our seniors as they alert users of any abnormalities, thus, decreasing the chances of health hazards.
Assisted Living Technologies for Elderly – Whether an elderly is living in-home care or home-based, having an Assistive Technology Device (ATD) is helpful as it aids them to fulfill daily tasks and activities such as walking around the area, using the toilet, etc. Examples of ATDs for the elderly are power wheelchairs and scooters, hearing aids, Google home devices, video cameras for their homes, in-house monitoring systems and remote controls with larger buttons for easier use. Aside from that, ATDs can help create a smart home for the elderly with appliances and things that can make their activities more comfortable. With ATD and smart homes being possible, the elderly can stay independent and feel safe when they opt to stay in their homes instead of a care facility. An example of this is HomeLife which has features to have remote control power over equipment with a direct connection to family members and healthcare professionals in case of emergency.
Key Factors to Consider in Applications for Seniors
In designing and developing apps for elderly care, it is important to take note of several things, their capacity, and limitations, in particular. The most common thing you might want to consider is how convenient the UI should be since most of the elderly may have trouble with their vision. It is best to enhance the user experience through clear texts and subtitles for video and audio content.
The size of the user interface is also crucial as it may be difficult for them to see important details when texts are small.
Overall, simple functionality is key to avoid confusion and retain the engagement of elderly users.
With these key concepts in mind, elderly people may be provided with opportunities to utilize app features properly.
Conclusion
The aging demographic that comprises the bulk of our population can be supported by various technologies that are key players in providing elderly healthcare. The development of healthcare products and applications for elderly care continuously improves with the capabilities of durability and portability to help in practical and meaningful ways.
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About CodeIT Team 
Software Development Company
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Created on May 19th 2020 13:45. Viewed 603 times.
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