“I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!”
And who can forget, “Clap on, clap off, the Clapper!”
Both of these ads were for comparatively low-tech products designed to keep older adults safe and comfortable at home. They’re both great ideas—one to call for help in case of an emergency and one to keep seniors from having to get up and turn off lights and then stumble back to bed in the dark.
Thankfully, these days many innovative tech products are available that do both of those tasks and much more, helping to keep your loved one from harm.
Mr. Beams Battery-Powered Motion-Sensing Lights—$17.99
These stick-on super-bright motion-sensor lights will keep your senior safe during middle-of-the-night bathroom visits, walking up and down stairways, or in darker hallways and rooms before they turn on the lights. They automatically go on and off, so they won’t disrupt your loved one’s sleep.
e-Pill CompuMed – Tamper Resistant Automatic Pill Dispenser—$824.95
The e-Pill CompuMed can, in some cases, truly be a lifesaver. Some older adults are on many medications and need to be reminded to take their pills multiple times each day, or need their doses of opioids or other pain medications carefully controlled. The e-Pill CompuMed is particularly beneficial for older adults living alone without continuous caregiving.
BurnerAlert Stove Reminder Disc—$79.99–$99.99
According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking was the cause of 49% of home fires, 20% of home fire deaths, and 42% of home fire injuries between 2015 and 2019. The BurnerAlert Stove Reminder Disc emits a beep every few minutes to keep cooks aware their burners are still on, which can help older adults remember to turn off their stove and keep accidents from happening.
Geek Smart Fingerprint Door Lock—$67.99
If your loved one has memory problems, they may forget to take important things with them when they leave home, including their keys. The Geek Smart Fingerprint Door Lock eliminates the need for a front door key and can be programmed for up to 20 different fingerprints to allow entry for caregivers and family members.
Mini Guardian 4G Life Saving Medical Alert System by Medical Guardian™—$99.99
This high-tech wearable emergency button allows for 24/7 communication with emergency services and a GPS tracker so you can find your older adult if they wander off or get lost. In addition, the Wi-Fi and 4G nationwide service ensure there will always be a connection no matter where your loved one goes.
TOTO Electronic Bidet Toilet Seat—$366.87
For seniors with limited mobility due to arthritis, Parkinson’s or other ailments, using the toilet can be difficult and frustrating. A bidet is a helpful and useful solution if this is a problem for your older adult. For caregivers, this can take the stress out of toileting and allows for independence during a very private moment. Also, the programmable spray and drying temperature gauges mean that bathroom needs are met comfortably and safely.
PARAMED Automatic Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor—$26.95
Your loved one can easily check their blood pressure with a wrist cuff monitor, which is much easier to get on and off than the typical upper arm cuff. The Paramed model also checks for irregular heartbeats and can track up to 90 tests at a time, so caregivers can see what the readings are when they aren’t around.
Amazon Echo Show 8—$94.99
When loved ones are far away, it’s nice to see their faces to get an idea of how they are doing. The Amazon Echo Show enables your loved one to see you and you to see them, which can be uplifting for them and reassuring for you.
The voice-activated Echo also:
- Displays photos
- Plays music
- Reports on the weather
- Reads news updates
- Streams movies and TV shows
- Makes phone calls
- Updates your loved one’s calendar
Sense Home Electrical Monitor—$299
Keep track of the electrical usage and what appliances are on and off in your loved one’s home with the Sense Home Electrical Monitor. You can turn off appliances remotely if they forget to do so, and you can make sure they’re safe from accidental fires or other disasters. Sense can also help to save money by allowing you to turn off lights and TVs when they aren’t in use.
Monoprice Wireless Smart Door/Window Sensor—$25.49
For seniors who wander off, this window sensor will notify family and caregivers if they open a door at unexpected times. It also serves as a home security system.
Smart tech devices can make your older adult safer at home and give family members and caregivers the peace of mind that even when they’re not right there with them, they can feel comfortable their loved one is secure.