Easing Your Parents into Accepting In-Home Assistance
Some of our clients find themselves in uncharted waters and in a challenging position of wanting to ensure their aging parents’ safety and comfort while also respecting their folks’ desire to age in place in their home. Suggesting a move to a senior living community or introducing home health care might be met with resistance, as it can feel like an encroachment on their independence.
With the introduction of AI in the senior healthcare industry, doors are opening to the introduction of another approach. Your parents may become more comfortable with the idea of assistance if you gradually integrate smart technology into their home. This approach not only preserves their sense of independence, but also can make the idea of accepting in-home help feel more natural and less imposing.
If you’re noticing a decline in your loved one’s well-being, that may be a good starting point. The same for seniors who have existing medical conditions. Technology/AI can supplement the care plan and help limit the amount of time they need to spend in a care facility.
Starting small
Remote monitoring: Remote monitoring tools can be used by family members or caregivers to track the person’s health data. Home Matters Caregiving offers their Virtual Care Agent, a passive device that not only can detect falls, but through the power of AI can predict changes in condition. “It provides our team with daily status reports to inform clients, their families, and Home Matters caregivers of any preventive actions that may need to be taken,” explains Joe Comly, division president of Home Matters Caregiving in the Philadelphia region.
Smart cameras and sensors: Installing cameras or motion sensors can help you keep an eye on your parents without being invasive. These tools can notify you if something out of the ordinary happens, like if a door is left open too long or if there’s unusual inactivity during the day.
The journey toward accepting in-home help can begin with the simplest smart home technology. These initial steps are not only practical but also unobtrusive, making them an excellent starting point.
Smart lights: Install smart lighting systems that automatically turn on and off as your parents move from room to room. This simple technology can prevent falls during the night and remove the hassle of fumbling for light switches, promoting a sense of safety and independence. Your parents may also enjoy having motion-activated lights outside their home for both safety and security.
Voice-activated assistants: If you can get your parents to feel comfortable with talking to a device, Amazon Echo or Google Home can be a game-changer for even the oldest adults. Start with simple commands, such as setting a reminder or timer, or having the device call your phone. These devices can be particularly comforting for those who might start feeling the limitations of their mobility or memory.
Moving to enhanced monitoring and communication
As your parents get used to the convenience and safety of basic smart home features, you can introduce more advanced systems that offer greater support and connectivity.
Health monitoring devices: Your parent may already have a smartwatch or a medic alert device. If not, show them what’s available for monitoring health metrics such as heart rate, sleep patterns, location, and falls. Explain that these devices can alert not only the senior to potential health issues, but also their family members—before the issue becomes an emergency.
Introducing community and human assistance
Once your parents are comfortable with technological aids, it might be time to introduce services that involve human interaction, further bridging the gap toward accepting in-home care.
Tech-based community services: Perhaps your parent would rather have groceries delivered during bad weather. Maybe you live far away from them, and they need local tech help. Many communities offer senior-focused tech classes or have volunteers who can help seniors with technology usage. Using these services not only helps your parents stay current with their devices, but also slowly integrates them into a community of peers and helpers. The presence of others in their home may start to feel more acceptable.
Part-time home aide services: Start with a home aide who comes once or twice a week to help with specific tasks like grocery shopping, medication management, or even tech support for their smart devices. This can help normalize the presence of helpers in a non-threatening way.
Gradual transition to in-home care
If your parent is already receiving regular in-home care, tech tools may be an easy enhancement. If not, adding or transitioning to regular in-home care might feel like a natural next step rather than a drastic change. The presence of caregivers can become just another layer of assistance—built on the foundation of technology and community services they’ve grown to trust and rely on.
“We have seen fantastic outcomes by combining our Virtual Care Agent with a caregiver in the home,” says Comly. “The reports that are generated provide great insights that allow us to update care plans or provide training to meet the changing needs of our clients.”
“In one case, we received an alert from the VCA that mentioned difficulty with transfers. We had our lead care manager visit the client and she noticed that the caregiver wasn’t using the most effective transfer techniques. After a brief training session, the caregiver was able to transfer the client comfortably.”
Remember, no matter what level of tech you choose, the goal is to enhance your parent’s quality of life at home, making each phase of assistance feel like a helpful addition rather than an imposition.
We at Longevity Income Solutions are happy help our clients evaluate their options. Our team of experts will help you make the best decisions for your parents. Contact us for more information.