Injuries, falls, and other emergencies are risks for aging family members who live alone. Are your aging loved ones home by themselves? Do you know how to monitor seniors living alone?
Different types of elder care monitoring devices are available to help you keep an eye on your aging parent’s safety at home. With an elderly monitoring system, you can go about your daily routine without extra worry or anxiety about your mom or dad.
Are you looking for the best monitor for seniors? A “movement monitor” for adults might seem like an odd concept, but it could be a beneficial safeguard for your elderly parents.
In this article, we’ll talk about the best monitors for seniors and things to consider when deciding to purchase one.
What to Know About Senior Home Monitoring Devices
All the senior citizen monitoring systems available have unique features, advantages, along with disadvantages. It’s helpful to understand what devices exist and what they do so you can choose the one that’s right for you.
Here are a few important questions to ask before purchasing an elderly monitor for your parent(s):
- Do I want to track my parent inside their home, outside their home, or both?
- Do I want video and calling capabilities?
- Is my parent prone to falling?
Familiarize yourself with the different types of monitoring devices available to make the buying decision more clear. Here are the three most common types of devices:
- GPS tracking devices
- Video monitoring devices
- Medical alert devices
Let’s take a look at these three types of senior home monitoring devices in more detail so you can choose the one that fits your situation.
GPS Tracking Devices
GPS tracking devices are a movement monitor for adults that allow adult children to track their parents’ geographical position.
GPS tracking devices are useful because they’re small. They clip onto articles of clothing, are worn around the wrist, or fit easily into pockets.
Here are a few advantages of GPS tracking as an elderly monitoring method:
- Push an SOS button to alert responders
- Set a designated area that alerts you when your parent leaves that area
- Guide your parent to a designated location if they get lost
GPS tracking devices also come with some downfalls. You need to charge GPS devices regularly, an elderly parent can forget to wear them, and some GPS devices have an on-going, monthly cost.
If you’re interested in purchasing a GPS device to monitor your parent remotely, check out these three devices:
- PocketFinder: uses three positions to track, entering/exiting zone alerts, SOS button
- iTraq: locates individuals anywhere cell towers exist, fall detection, 4-month battery life
- Prime Tracking: view tracking on connected mobile devices, 2-week battery life, SOS button
Video Monitoring Devices
Another widely used method for tracking aging parents is a video monitoring system for elderly adults in the home.
An in-home video monitor for elderly parents can give you a detailed view of their home. Some also allow for two-way communication between you and your parents.
Video monitoring systems can range in size from small devices like baby monitors to a more extensive network of cameras placed around the home. They’re most useful as an in-home adult monitor and don’t offer visuals on your parents once they leave the camera range.
Before you decide to install a video device in your parent’s home, you’ll want to talk with them about it first. Consider where to place the cameras for the most effective viewing range to video monitor your seniors at home, and show your parent how to access and use the device if it has two-way communication.
Here are a few top-of-the-line video monitoring systems for elderly parents:
- Reolink: single or multi-room cameras, easy installation, and real-time alerts
- Nest: indoor and outdoor cameras, two-way communication
- DXR-8 Baby Monitor: light-weight and portable, full viewing control
Medical Alert Systems and Devices
Medical alert devices are simple elderly monitoring systems. They don’t have video capabilities, but many allow for two-way communication with emergency responders.
Medical alert systems have an SOS button that sends a signal to aresponse center that has access to your loved one’s medical history. The device’s GPS location allows responders to know exactly where the distressed person is if physical help is needed.
Falling at home is a significant risk for many aging seniors. A big advancement in medical alert system development is automatic fall detection. This new feature detects when a fall happens and automatically calls an emergency responder to see if immediate attention is needed.
If your aging loved one is still independent but may experience rare falls or emergencies, a medical alert device might be right for them.
The Best Monitor for Seniors
Elder care monitoring devices are valuable but lack a compassionate and personal touch that an in-home caregiver can provide. Technology is great and has improved many aspects of life, but it has failures and limitations.
At Stowell Associates, we pride ourselves on delivering expert, quality in-home care for elderly adults. We believe in-home caregivers provide the best in-home monitoring for the elderly.
Our Care Advisors are available to answer all of your questions about in-home care. After we assess your needs, we’ll connect you with an Expert Care Manager who will create a personalized care plan for your loved one. Finally, we’ll send our highly trained and trusted Caregivers to your parents’ home to assist them with life’s daily tasks.
But we don’t want you to be left in the dark once your parents’ in-home care begins. When a Stowell Caregiver provides care for your loved one, you’ll have convenient access to daily reports, notes, and progress updates.
Contact us today to see how our Care Team and Caregivers can provide the best in-home monitoring and care for your elderly parents.
