As our population ages, so does the number of at-home, unpaid caregivers. According to a 2010 report*, the aging population (65+) in the U.S. will more than double between the years 2000 and 2030, increasing to 71.5 million. It’s no wonder that in 2012, 65.7 million caregivers made up 29 percent of the U.S. adult population, according to The National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP.
Unpaid and responsible for the well-being of their elderly and ill family members, at-home caregivers are faced with the daunting task of creating a home environment that’s safe, comfortable, and functional, and that is able to adapt to the changing needs of their aging loved ones.
As many caregivers have discovered, smart home technology can lend a helping hand, enabling seniors to live independently in their homes and provide their caregivers with priceless peace of mind—both emotional and financial. Just ask Peggy Shelton. After her 89-year-old father, Joe Poelker, suffered a serious heart attack in his home—and subsequently required around-the-clock care—Peggy knew it was time to move him into the guest bedroom in her house. It was an easy decision, given the quote of nearly $90,000 a year she was handed by a nearby nursing home.
There was just one question: How could she keep an eye on her dad while maintaining a normal work schedule? Although Peggy would never call herself a technology enthusiast, she was willing to give anything a try, including the Piper surveillance camera her daughter had suggested after seeing an ad for it on TV. More than just a full-color, high-res security camera, the Piper from iControl Networks comes equipped with sensors that allow it to monitor what’s happening in the house; for instance, a motion sensor notices if Peggy’s dad is up and around (or isn’t). Other sensors listen for noise or lack thereof. The Piper automatically sends a text message to Peggy’s phone if it senses no motion or sound, and she can log in to take a real-time look at her dad’s whereabouts. “I can scope out the entire living room, his bedroom and the hallway. And if I need to, I can talk to him through the camera’s built-in microphone.” The camera provides a 180-degree field of view, and can pan or zoom for a better look, all remotely from Peggy’s phone; it truly gives her a “bird’s eye view,” she says.
89% of caregivers believe that technology has the ability to make aging a better or easier experience in the future
74% of caregivers think teaching older adults in their care how to use technology would be fun
72% of caregivers feel capable of teaching an older adult in their care
The two-way microphone not only comes in handy for monitoring purposes, but also as a way to send her dad friendly verbal reminders to take his medication. For extra assurance that her dad is doing well—like when she takes a short vacation—Peggy can give out a temporary passcode to let other people also take a peek on Dad. She’s never more than a click away, though. “The Piper recently let me know (from its motion sensor), that Dad was still up at 11 p.m. one night when I was gone; I was able to call the people who were staying with him and put an end to the late nights.” For occasions like this, Peggy is able to set up from an app on her mobile phone monitoring parameters, such as password access, alerts, and schedules for the Piper to follow, which she says is a cinch to do, as was the initial set-up of the two Piper cameras that occupy the house. She also appreciates the Piper’s friendly price tag ($207 each at the time she purchased them, with no monthly fees). “It saves me a lot of money and a lot of worry,” she says. As for her dad? “He doesn’t mind the Piper at all. He thinks it’s cool.” EH
*Coughlin, J. (2010) Estimating the Impact of Caregiving and Employment on Well-Being: Outcomes & Insights in Health Management, Vol. 2; Issue 1
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