4 Tech Things to Try

According to an Australian Seniors study, 3 in 5 seniors identify as tech savvy and most (84%) say they’re ready to try new technologies. So if you are a senior or looking after a senior or 2, let's look at a few things to play with:

1. Wearables -> health monitoring, falls detection, apps -> medication
   
2. Video home exercise programs
   
3. Voice controlled devices
   
4. Smart sensors, plugs and devices -> home automations
   

1. Wearables
Wearable technology is a device that you wear, either on your wrist or around your neck. There are many types of wearable devices and which one you choose depends on your needs.

You could consider a watch type wearable, like an Apple Watch, Garmin or Fitbit. These watches tend to track your steps so you can see how active you are. They can also measure your heart rate and for some of them, like the Apple Watch, you can download other apps to track your health including monitoring your sleep. Many of these watches also have automatic fall detection, so if you have a tumble, one of your loved ones can be alerted ASAP.

2. Video home exercise programs
If you find it difficult to get out and about to group exercise programs, video programs might be a great solution. One study found that home-based exercise programs are easy to use and can improve quality of life and health status of pre-frail older adults who live at home. Since we were all forced into our homes during the pandemic, home based exercise programs have become even more popular.
Check out Youtube for starters

3. Voice controlled devices
Voice controlled devices, like Google Home or Amazon Alexa are an ideal piece of technology for older people living alone. Voice activation can make it easy to adjust to as older people don’t have to learn to understand the technology – you just need to talk to the device.

There are many ways these devices can be integrated into a home. You can use them to access music, news and information, including the weather. They can be connected with smart home devices like a kettle, lights, air conditioning and even a remote vacuum cleaner so you can activate the appliances with your voice.

4. The Umps Smart Sensors in the Smart Home
Stay safer and more independent with the Umps Smart Home. This system uses smart-plugs to measure your interactions with the household appliances you use every day, like when you boil the kettle, open the refrigerator or cook using the microwave. Over 7 days, the system learns your unique daily habits and routine. After this ‘Learning Mode’ is completed, the Umps Smart Home can identify subtle changes in your activity that could show a decline in your wellbeing. These alerts are provided to Members and their family by text message, through the Umps App, as well as to Five Good Friends’ care team through Lookout. You can use your Home Care Package to set up this system in your home.

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