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With an ever-increasing life expectancy due to improving healthcare and medicine, the world is seeing more and more people reach their golden years. Nowadays, more retirees are choosing to age in place, rather than live out their life in a nursing home. While nothing beats the comfort of your own home, however, it should be noted that standard homes tend to lack the facilities that hospitals or nursing homes are equipped with. Luckily, advancements in technology have made senior home care much easier. Let’s take a look at some modern tech items that are helping the aging generation make life at home more comfortable and safe.


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Automatic Pill Dispensers

As we age, we tend to require an alarming number of pills for a myriad of health issues. Unfortunately, aging also brings confusion and forgetfulness, which can cause someone to forget their dose, take a double dose, or take a pill at the wrong time. Pill dispensers can make life easier for seniors and caregivers alike. These dispensers help seniors remain independent for longer, as it dispenses specific pills based on the patient's specific schedule.

Sensors

If privacy is a serious concern, a sensor may be the way to go. Sensors do not record video, but they do track things such as body temperature, sleep patterns, and abnormal behavior. They can also detect falls, smoke, or carbon monoxide, then contact emergency services automatically. Given these features, sensors, either worn or installed in the home, can be literal lifesavers while offering maximum privacy.

Robotic Pets

Let’s face it: taking care of a pet is a full-time responsibility, and it’s one that most senior citizens cannot physically keep up with. Taking a dog for a walk, lifting heavy bags of food or litter, and even playing with an energetic cat can take a toll on them. Luckily, there’s another option: robotic pets. There is a variety to choose from, ranging from the classic dog or cat to even seals. In short, there’s easily something for everyone. And as a bonus: they’re hypoallergenic as they lack the dander and fur that cause allergies.

Audiobooks

One of the best ways to mitigate cognitive deterioration is by performing activities like making crafts or reading. Sadly, a progressive loss of vision is an issue many elderly people have to face, preventing lifelong readers from enjoying their favorite hobby. In recent years, however, audiobooks have exploded in popularity. Avid readers can now easily find a variety of apps and virtual libraries with literary classics and new bestsellers, performed by some of the most prestigious voice artists. This type of technology may seem unnecessary to younger generations, but it can be an essential part of maintaining the quality of life for the elderly.

Phone Apps

We don’t expect senior citizens to be phone savvy, but phone apps are indispensable for caregivers and family members. Through apps, the information (through sensors, for example) can be shared with doctors to improve a senior’s lifestyle. Phone apps are also great for tracking a senior’s activity and helping caregivers and family members know where the patient is at all times, mitigating the risks that accompany diseases such as Alzheimer's, which cause sufferers to wander and get lost.

Fire Prevention

Back on the topic of sensors, stovetop sensors have a specific function: to prevent home fires. Some of these sensors automatically make electric stoves turn off if they detect an unattended pan or smoke. Others focus on microwave safety, turning a microwave off at the first sign of smoke or burning. Of course, these should always be used in tandem with classic smoke alarms, especially those that send an automatic message to the local fire department. Devices like these are essential for any older adult living alone.

With more of the aging population opting to age in place, modern technologies like those stated above ensure a safe and comfortable living environment for them. And that's more than enough reason to invest in them.

Specially written for gentlehomeservices.com by Jessica Bailey

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care Services in Deerfield IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

​The Friend Center Memory Cafe,  March 14, 2019 

Memory Café with CJE SeniorLife at Weinberg/The Friend Center in Deerfield.

Topic: Medical Cannabis

Overview of medical cannabis and its effects followed by an overview of the state's medical cannabis programs.

Speaker: Morgan Kingsland 

Morgan Kingsland is the outreach manager for Greenhouse Group, a group of medical cannabis dispensaries in Illinois. She focuses on educating the public about the benefits of cannabis for a variety of conditions and the options available for Illinois residents. Please share with your contacts or families/clients you work with who may be interested in an hour of socialization and activities.

There is no fee to attend. Registration is required by emailing [email protected] or 847-236-7826. Please RSVP by March 12th.

​​Click Here for More Information

If you or an aging loved one are considering  Elder Care Services in Deerfield IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

Having a recommendation to start exercising and the "all clear" from your aging adult's doctor doesn't automatically make exercise fun. Trying some of these suggestions might help at least a little bit, however. 

Find Activities that You Truly Enjoy 

The less that exercise feels like a chore to you and your aging adult, the easier it will be to stick with it. Start making some lists of activities that involve movement that your elder care recipient enjoys doing. You may find that you want to modify some of those activities or look for activities that are similar to those that she already enjoys. 

Add a Little Bit of Competition to the Mix 

Fitness tracking companies usually have a component in their app that encourages users to compete against other people who use the same tracker. The reason that this works is because it can be really effective. Find little ways to compete with your senior as you both exercise. You might find it motivates both of you. 

Find a Distraction During Exercise 

One of the worst things about hating to exercise is thinking about how much you hate exercise while you're doing it, that's why you and your elderly family member need a distraction. Turn on a movie or a favorite television show. In fact, you might save a specific favorite show to only watch while you exercise. Another option might be listening to your favorite music or even to audiobooks or podcasts. 

Make Exercise a Social Event 

Some people are much more motivated by social adventures and if that's the case for your aging adult, then it might be a good idea to contact senior centers and agencies that help the elderly to find out what opportunities exist for your care recipient to exercise with other people her own age. She might just meet some new friends. 

Add Exercise in Smaller Ways 

Another way to help motivate your senior family member is to incorporate more activities into every day that involve moving, but might not actually be exercise. Moving is the end goal, after all, and if  you and your aging adult can get some more movement into every day, that's a win. 

When you find a system that works for your elder, share it with the other people in her life such as other family members and elder care providers. They can use the information to help your family member stay more active, too. 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care Services in Deerfield IL, contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.

​Elder Care in Deerfield, IL
 
Now that the cold weather has definitely set in and you are settling in for the winter, your thoughts are likely turning to the foods and beverages that will keep you warm and cozy. One of the best of these is hot tea. There is nothing quite like curling up with a hot cup of tea at the end of one of those bone-chilling days in your elder care journey and relaxing as the warmth and soothing flavors comfort and relax you. January is National Hot Tea Month, the ideal opportunity for you to celebrate all of the wonderful flavors and benefits of your favorite cup of hot tea and find new and exciting ways to make this toasty beverage part of your ongoing elder care efforts with your parents.
 
Let these ideas inspire you and your parents' elderly health care services provider to come up with ways to celebrate National Hot Tea Month together this January:

• Try loose tea. While most people use tea bags to make their cup of hot tea, there is nothing that compares to the flavor and potency of loose tea. In order to make a cup of tea using a loose tea mixture you simply scoop tea into a strainer and put the strainer into a cup of hot water just like you would a tea bag. Wait several minutes to let the tea steep, and then enjoy. The steeping does take longer with a strainer, but it is worth it. Plan a day to go with your parents to a local tea shop to try different mixes and find a new mix to enjoy together. They can even give you tips for making the perfect pot

• Pick a new strainer. If you are going to enjoy a delicious cup of hot tea made from loose tea you will need a strainer. There is a seemingly endless variety of these strainers available, making them a fun personalization for your and your aging parents' cup. Look for strainers that fit with a hobby or personal interest and when you are not using them to make tea, use them as decoration for your parents' kitchen

• Experiment with new flavors. Change up your usual tea experience by experimenting with a variety of new flavors. Adding a boost of taste to your tea is as easy as adding ingredients to your strainer while steeping the tea, or adding ingredients right to your cup if you are using a tea bag. Try citrus zest, fresh ginger root, pieces of peppermint, honey, or even peach nectar

• Get creamy. Create an indulgent experience by adding extra cream to your chai or other sweet tea blend and then topping it with a strong spice. The experience is soothing and rich like coffee, but offers you all of the benefits of herbal tea

• Get crafty. If you happen to find a cup of tea that has gone cold, do not just throw it away. Use it for a special craft. Just pour the tea over pieces of high quality paper for an antiqued look you can use for stationary or scrapbook.

If you or an aging loved one are considering in-home elder care in Deerfield, IL, please contact the caring staff at Gentle Home Services. Call today (800) 860-9823.