Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Using Technology to Keep Better Tabs


Yesterday's "Morning Edition" on National Public Radio featured a piece titled "Wired Homes Keep Tabs on Aging Parents." The seven-minute segment discusses ways adult children are using monitors and cameras to watch parents trying to age in place. It's part of a series on ways to help people stay in their homes as they grow older.

This particular piece features what is called a "tele-caregiver." The featured Georgia couple's long-distance caregiver is named Denise, and she's able to monitor their every move remotely from another state and alert someone when something doesn't seem right, such as someone taking too long in the bathroom or breakfast being undercooked.

Said one ResCare representative in the segment:


"At the same time that we have this huge population of aging folks, we have a shrinking population of caregivers, of younger people who are capable of providing the level of care that these older people are going to need."


Caregivers of parents with dementia have additional challenges, but the series and particularly this technology piece provide some solutions, such as video monitoring services, for those who need to keep a closer eye on Mom and Dad, whether in your home or theirs.

You can listen to the piece here.