Several surveys, including one by AARP report that 3 out of 4 adults age 50 and older want to stay in their homes as they age. Advancements in smart technologies and other tools make it easier for people to continue living at home.
Alexa Together
Alexa Together is a subscription service, designed to assist seniors and their caregivers.
Amazon states that the intent of Alexa Together is to provide support for your loved ones keeping you together even when you are apart.
You must own an Alexa supported device to take advantage of this service. Supported devices are Amazon Echo, Echo Dot and Echo Show devices. The caregiver uses a smartphone with the Alexa app installed. The service is designed to run in the background and be there when needed. The senior can use the services as often or as little as they choose.
Alexa Together Features
- Customized Alerts: Allow the caregiver to setup alerts based on their needs. So, for example they can setup an alert that notifies them when the person is out of bed in the morning. Or an alert if no activity has taken place for a certain amount of time.
- 24/7 Urgent Response: Provides 24/7 access to an emergency hotline. You simply say “Alexa, call for help” to initiate the service. You will be connected to the hotline and the provider can contact the local police and fire department or send for an ambulance. When the Urgent Response is activated, the designated caregiver will be notified.
- Activity Feed: Allows the caregiver to check in and see what kind of interactions the person is having with the Alexa device.
- Circle of Support: Allows the caregiver to add others to the support team.
- Remote Assist: When enabled remote assist allows caregivers to do things like add contacts and reminders, edit a shopping list, link to music services and more. The senior would need to allow access to the caregiver to use the remote assist feature.
- Fall Detection Response: If a fall is detected, Alexa calls Urgent Response and notifies emergency contacts.
Alexa devices can be useful in other ways as well. Seniors can use Alexa to turn lights off and on, play something on the radio, setup and add to a shopping list, give the current date and time, setup timers and alarms, assist with recipes and food preparation, receive sports and news updates, get traffic updates and information, get information about restaurants, movie theaters and local businesses, control smart home devices, order from Amazon, play games, ask random question and get answers and more. Alexa Together
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels operates in almost every community in the United States. Founded in 1954 it has grown to a network of more than 5,000 independently run local programs. While each community may offer services specific to their area the goal is to help people live healthier lives and provide nourishing meals delivered to the home.
Meals on Wheels also provides a safety check with each meal that is delivered. If there is a medical emergency, they will call for help and stay with the senior until help arrives.
Seniors can visit their local community and senior centers where Meals on Wheels provides food and services. This lets them participate in social activities and visit with others.
The service is provided to those who because of health reasons may be unable to shop for food and prepare meals. The fees for the service can range from zero to full price depending on the financial circumstances of each person.
Most local Meals on Wheels agencies will have the senior fill out an application to apply. Some may require a doctor’s referral.
Other services that may be provided are pet food delivery, home repair services and transportation services for doctor’s visits and other appointments.
Sharing a Home with Other Seniors
Remember the TV show the Golden Girls, a group of seniors living together and supporting each other? Sharing a home with one or more other seniors is becoming increasingly popular. It offers companionship and benefits like sharing housing and utility costs.
Finding a Roommate
- Do a background check. Get permission from the potential roommate to run a background check. Don’t feel uncomfortable doing so. Safety is key. If they don’t consent to a background check move on to another candidate.
- Meet with a lawyer and draw up a lease agreement.
- Sit down and write up some ground rules. It can be simple things like delegating cleaning chores, notifications of comings and goings, what visitors they might have, will smoking and drinking be permitted, limiting noise after a certain hour and so on. Each situation will be different but be sure to setup the ground rules before they move in to avoid trouble later. You can do this with an attorney present to be sure everything is legal.
Senior Centers
Senior Centers provide many services, it is estimated that 75% of participants visit their center 1 to 3 times per week. They spend an average of 3.3 hours per visit. They have become one of the most widely used services by older adults.
Most Senior Centers are locally funded, but some receive state or federal money.
Senior centers allow seniors to meet new people and connect with others who are about the same age.
The services offered vary by area
- Meal and nutrition programs
- Wellness and exercise programs
- Transportation services
- Trips and recreational activities
- Employment and volunteer assistance
- Information about other services available to seniors
- Educational programs
- Games, community dinners and other activities
National Council on Aging
They offer support and advocate for senior rights.
Some of the services they offer
- Help in finding a Medicare plan
- Find benefits available to older adults and advice on healthy living, security, preventing falls and more
- Support for caregivers and community organizations that provide services to older adults
- They fight for the rights of older adults and are advocates against age discrimination
- Provide help with money management
- Job training assistance
- Assist in retirement planning
National Institute on Aging
The National Institute on Aging through the United States Department of Health and Human Services provides information for seniors on topics such as health and wellness, caregiving, medical research news, advanced and end of life planning and more. National Institute on Aging
AARP
AARP is a valuable resource for anyone 55 and older. They offer many benefits and discounts to their members. AARP
Eldercare Locator
Assists seniors and caregivers in finding the services they need. To quote their website “The Eldercare Locator is a nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Since 1991, the Eldercare Locator has been linking those who need assistance with state and local agencies on aging, as well as community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers. Whether help is needed with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver needs training and education or a well-deserved break from caregiving responsibilities, the Eldercare Locator is there to point that person in the right direction”
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)
Area Agencies on Aging is a network of over 620 organizations across America providing assistance to seniors 60 and older. Some services they offer
- Meal programs
- Caregiver support and resources
- Information about assistance programs
- Insurance and Medicare counselling and advice
- Transportation service referrals and resources
Health Finder
A service by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Their website provides links to health-related websites, support, and self-help groups and links to government agencies and nonprofit organizations that support seniors.
National Aging and Disability Transportation Center
They provide transportation assistance for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers.
Household Help
Some services that may be beneficial for seniors are house cleaning assistance, transportation assistance, meal prep help, food deliveries services, laundry services, assistance with things like mowing the lawn and other home maintenance tasks. Check your local community, talk to others to find affordable options for these services. For example, you might find someone to come in once or twice a week to help with laundry, meal prep and cleaning. Just getting help with some of these can allow seniors to stay at home and live independently.
Useful Technology for Older Adults
There are tons of apps, gadgets and smart home devices that make life easier for seniors. Here are a few examples.
Motion sensor night lights and light bulbs
These lights turn on automatically when they sense motion. Great for hallways, bathrooms, or any room. Tripping and falling is a real concern especially for seniors. Automatic lighting can prevent this from happening.
Sock and shoe aids
For seniors with limited mobility putting on and taking off socks and shoes can be a struggle.
Stove top burner alert
Alerts you with a sound if you forget and leave the stove turned on.
Pill dispensers: Keeps medication organized by date and time.
Medical alert system
Wearable devices that allow a senior to simply push a button to call for help.
Home security system
There are many to choose from. You can setup your own or subscribe to a professional service.
Fire Extinguisher, smoke alarms & carbon monoxide detectors
Not just for seniors but for everyone. No home should be without these.
Shower grab bars, shower chairs, mats and toilet accessories
These make it easier to get in and out of the shower and make the bathroom safer.
Reacher’s & grabbers
These tools make it easier for seniors to reach items that are on the floor or higher up.
Kitchen gadget
Anything to make working in the kitchen easier, jar openers, easy open canisters, electric can opener, silverware with handles that are easier to grasp.
Mesh Wi-Fi
These devices can be placed throughout the living area to extend Wi-Fi to every room in the house.
Tablet or laptop with video conferencing
This allows seniors to stay in touch with family and friends and connect to them quickly if needed.
Technology has made it much easier for us to remain at home. Utilize what fits your situation best.
The Tech Minimalist 