How Technology Enhances Safety and Independence for Seniors 

Countless seniors wish to age in place and remain independent as long as possible. However, they may need help with chores and activities of daily living. Where can they receive this help?

Seniors often turn to family and friends to help them with these tasks, which allows them to live independently. However, many caregivers find themselves stressed and overwhelmed.

Finding a professional caregiver isn’t easy either, as they are in high demand today. Individuals who live in independent and assisted living communities often benefit from technology. How can robots help seniors live alone longer?

Robots and Seniors

Automation and artificial intelligence can benefit seniors in countless ways. Many people think of the movie “I, Robot” when they think about robots in the home. However, robots can help seniors age in place by taking on tasks that human caregivers used to assist them with.

For example, many people have robotic vacuum cleaners today. These vacuum cleaners are small robots that take on one household chore. Devices such as this are easy to design and deploy and allow people to adjust to technology gradually.

Robots may perform many tasks for seniors. For example, they may help one senior eat meals and another get dressed. Robots can also be programmed to cook, manage a senior’s medications, do the laundry, and more.

Developers are currently working on robots that can help lift people in and out of their chairs and beds, fold towels, and cook. Self-driving cars are being tested now, and they may help seniors in the future get to appointments, family events, and other social activities.

Senior living communities are currently experimenting with robots. These robots can provide social companionship when seniors wake up at night and help them do various other tasks. For example, robots may relieve loneliness and ensure senior living community residents eat regularly.

Continuous Care

Human caregivers need sleep and time to recharge.  Mechanical caregivers don’t have these limitations.  They can work around the clock and support aging. While families will still want to be involved in caring for their loved ones, technology can meet day-to-day needs.

When family and friends visit the senior, they will spend less time completing chores and helping the senior with tasks and more time interacting with their loved ones. Seniors never feel as if they are a burden on these robots as they may when asking family and friends for help.

Increasing the Use of Technology in Senior Care

Before robots are widely adopted in senior living communities and households, designers must find ways to make them user-friendly and intuitive. Seniors are embracing technology more but still want it to be easy to use. Researchers recognize this and are working to determine which activities seniors require help with and what kinds of robots can help them.

When doing so, they’re considering how these robots can provide seniors with social support. They’re researching whether the robots need to be able to convey emotions, simulate eye contact, and converse with seniors. Features like these may make seniors more willing to use the robots fully. However, this does not mean people must wait until all of these questions have been answered before benefiting from robots. They can do so today.

The United States Census Bureau predicts 25% of Americans will be 65 or older by 2060. This means millions of people will need help with tasks occasionally or regularly. Robots are ideal for completing many elder care tasks, so this option should not be overlooked. While they will never completely replace human caregivers, they will be of great benefit in ensuring seniors have the highest quality of life.