Assistive Devices Can Help Seniors With Alzheimer’s Improve Safety And Independence
If your senior loved one in Longmont, CO is living with Alzheimer's, these assistive devices can boost their quality of life and supplement the in-home supportive services they're already receiving
If you are a family caregiver providing care for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, you are surely dedicated to doing everything in your power to help them continue living safely and independently at home for as long as possible, avoiding the stressful move to an assisted living facility.
Of course, hiring professional in-home supportive services from Visiting Angels of Boulder County is one of the many ways you can help your mom or dad. Additionally, you might also want to consider using certain assistive devices to boost your loved one's independence, improve safety in their home, prevent wandering and more.
Memory Aids
One of the main symptoms of Alzheimer's disease is gradual decline in memory functions. In time, your mom or dad will have difficulties remembering other people, events that took place recently, and even important information about themselves.
Some memory aids that can be used to manage memory loss and supplement Alzheimer's in-home supportive services include:
- Appliances that can be programmed to provide useful information and reminders
- Smartphones and tablets with pre-installed clock/calendar apps or clocks displaying date and time on the screen
- Automatic pill dispensers and medication management units that safely store medications in separate compartments and feature sound and light alerts to remind your loved one when to take their medication
- Locator devices to help Mom or Dad find their misplaced items
Sensors and Alarms
Wandering is one of the most common problems for aging adults with Alzheimer's. As wandering can cause a number of health and safety risks, you might want to consider using the following devices specially designed to boost Mom or Dad's safety:
- Motion sensors or tracking devices programmed to alert you when your loved one leaves a certain area of their home
- Fall sensors that send an automated alarm signal to you or your loved one's caregiver when a fall occurs
- Apps that can track your parent’s location using their smartphone signal
Communication Aids
To help your mom or dad keep in touch with loved ones, consider opting for the following tools designed to make communication easier:
- Adapted phones that feature pictures of contacts in the menu and large buttons to make dialing easier
- Video chat programs such as Skype and FaceTime
- Popular smartphone apps that can help seniors express how they feel by selecting a word, picture or symbol
Activities
As you probably know, there are some fun activities designed to help seniors struggling with memory-related conditions. They can be used to improve memory and help your loved one stay calm and relaxed. For example, you can:
- Play your loved one's favorite music or turn on their favorite radio program
- Let them solve puzzles or play digital games to provide mental stimulation
- Use sensory devices to stimulate senses and improve your mom or Dad's mood
By hiring professional in-home supportive services and opting for some of the abovementioned assistive devices, you can provide a wholesome, all-round support system for your loved one with Alzheimer's and help them age in place for longer.
If you'd like to learn more about how our in-home supportive services can help your loved one live safely at home while managing Alzheimer's symptoms, contact our Longmont, CO office today.
Visiting Angels provides in-home Alzheimer's care to seniors in Allenspark, Boulder, Eldorado Springs, Erie, Hygiene, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, Lyons, Nederland, Niwot, Pinecliff, Ward, and the surrounding areas of Boulder County, CO.