Do you often worry about your elderly parents who live alone? It’s normal to feel anxious or worried that they may not be safe or are struggling to cope when living alone, especially if they’re experiencing mobility challenges and cognitive decline.
Thanks to the latest technology, there’s no need to remain in the dark. Remote monitoring enables you to monitor your older parents remotely, alleviating anxious concerns.
Is Your Love One Safe at Home?
It’s common for families to live in geographically dispersed areas, and the number of older adults living alone is increasing every year. This means that many of us have elderly parents who don’t live nearby, leaving us concerned about their safety.
When you can’t see your loved one every day, you may find yourself stressed about their needs and abilities. Many older adults require a degree of professional care as they age, and without being able to assess your loved one’s condition, you might not know if they’re struggling.
If your parents aren’t receiving home care, such as that from Country Cousins, then very few people are likely to be aware of their well-being on a day-to-day basis. Home monitoring systems can provide reassurance and insights to keep your loved one safe.
Types of Home Monitoring Devices
There’s a wide range of home monitoring devices available on the market today. Here is a selection of the best options for remotely monitoring parents.
StackCare
StackCare works by collecting data from small wireless sensors positioned in areas of the home such as the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and lounge. These sensors monitor activity levels and gauge temperature. Artificial intelligence learns your loved one’s daily patterns so it can identify any unusual behaviour, such as longer times spent in bed.
The device then collates the information into daily reports, which are sent directly to your mobile, tablet or smartwatch via an App and also sends alerts if there are any significant changes.
Sentai
Sentai is a smart voice device that combines motion sensors with Amazon Alexa, providing daily reminders, activity monitoring and conversations powered by AI.
Sentai is a small device that offers daily reminders, such as when to take medication or put out the rubbish, and movement monitoring. It also features voice-enabled chat, allowing the carer and care recipient to send messages, ask questions and more.
The software helps family carers gain valuable insights through the Sentai dashboard, which can be viewed on any phone, tablet or computer, allowing for continuous monitoring and the identification of changes in routine.
Canary Elderly Monitoring System
The Canary Elderly Monitoring System utilises sensor technology and a monitoring system to keep your loved one safe. The sensors are placed throughout the home, allowing the system to keep you updated on changes and movements.
From room temperature to night time bathroom visits, the sensors relay valuable information without requiring Wi-Fi or a phone line, but a mobile phone signal is necessary. The updates enable you to make informed decisions, intervene promptly and prevent issues from escalating.
The system includes four motion sensors, two door magnet sensors and one visitor smart card and can be set up very easily with the accompanying instructions.
ECARE21
The ECARE21 App, available for download from the Apple Store, is easy to set up and use. Rather than using home monitoring technology, it measures your loved one’s vital statistics using a device that the individual wears.
The app requires a monthly subscription and allows you to monitor your family member’s heart rate, sleep patterns and other vital statistics. By establishing a baseline for vital signs it can help recognise potential issues in their well-being without the need for home monitoring technology. The App integrates with smartwatches and other devices, allowing you to easily stay informed about your loved one’s well-being.
SECOM Smart Wellness
SECOM Smart Wellness is a home security system equipped with some impressive features. This comprehensive security system integrates motion sensors, CCTV, and smart devices into a single system. It allows you to receive alerts for unexpected activity, such as when the front door has been left open, access intelligent video alerts, and stay informed about crucial activities remotely.
This innovative home care solution creates a profile of the home user’s typical environment and daily routines, notifying carers if there are changes in behaviour patterns. It can be set up to provide alarms when specific actions are taken or not taken, such as a warning if a cabinet hasn’t been opened to take medication.
Tec2Care
The Tec2Care device is a compact sensor installed in the kitchen. The gadget learns your loved one’s routine, tracking activities like kettle usage, meal preparation times and dishwashing to create a behavioural profile. Temperature and humidity sensors are included in environmental monitoring, detecting potential issues such as excessive heat or cold.
Your loved one doesn’t need to interact with the device at all. Data is uploaded every four hours for analysis, and the app automatically updates the person’s status on the App dashboard. Once a day, the App generates an email with an overview of the individual’s status for the previous 24 hours.
Taking Care Sense
The Taking Care Sense device is similar to the Tec2Care monitoring system in that it uses one sensor in the kitchen to detect and analyse patterns of movement and behaviour in your loved one’s home. However, it differs in the way in which it reports a potential issue.
A discreet cordless sensor, similar in appearance to a smoke alarm, is installed in the kitchen to monitor the atmosphere and activity. Alerts are sent to the Taking Care central team if changes are detected. The Resolution Team investigates and makes a well-being call to your loved one. If there’s no response, a nominated person is contacted for further checks on the household.
Taking Care Sense can be added to an existing personal elderly alarm package or used as a stand-alone monitoring system.
Taking Care Safe Home Alert
From the same company that manufactures the Taking Care Sense monitor, the Taking Care Safe Home Alert is a comprehensive home monitoring system featuring sensors strategically placed throughout the home. This system requires a broadband internet connection, a router with a spare network port and a telephone line to function.
The sensors learn and track your loved one’s daily routine, providing immediate alerts, such as an open front door at night, and then escalate to the Emergency Resolution Team for further investigation. Additionally, the individual can press a button on the alarm pendant they wear to speak with the Resolution Team any time, day or night.
Using the reporting App, you can see changes, such as decreased eating and drinking, which helps you take early action.
Helpful Devices to Keep Your Loved One Safe
Helping your parents stay safe at home can include more than just home monitoring devices. There are a huge number of gadgets available on the market to boost safety, provide reminders and monitor health.
Here are just a few types of products that can help you monitor your older parent at home, enhance their safety and provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones:
Personal Alarms and Fall Detectors
The most commonly used safety devices among the elderly are personal alarms and fall detectors. Personal alarms offer assistance in the event of falls or emergencies, both at home and when a person is out and about. They can be worn or carried, with options such as wrist or neck devices, buttons or pull cords, making them suitable for use at home.
Different types of personal alarms include basic alarms with loud alerts, alarms that notify family members, monitored alarms for 24-hour service, fall detectors and GPS tracking alarms, which provide location awareness for families and caregivers.
Door and Window Sensors
Door and window sensors are great tools if you have an elderly parent who is forgetful, at risk of wandering or is living with dementia. These devices can monitor a single door or multiple doors, as well as the windows in the home. Some devices are worn by individuals and feature a GPS tracking device for those at risk of wandering and getting lost.
Stove Alarms
With 50% of home fires starting in the kitchen, stove alarms can be a smart addition to an elderly parent’s home.
A stove alarm, also known as a “cooker cut-off device,” detects temperature, smoke and duration of heat and switches off the power to the cooker to prevent fires. Depending on the brand, most operate by sensing heat, cooking fumes (smoke and steam), or human presence.
Carbon Monoxide Monitors
This may seem like a standard device for most homes these days, but sometimes family carers overlook this basic but important safety device in the homes of their elderly loved ones. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors are best placed in kitchens and hallways.
Medication Reminders
There are several Apps and devices on the market that can help your parents remember when to take their medications. These gadgets remind your loved one when, how and how much medication to take. They can be set for several reminders a day and even send prescription refill reminders to the caregiver.
How Live-In Care Supports Safety and Well-Being
No matter how many monitoring devices you set up, it’s never the same as someone providing care and support to your elderly parent, on hand for all their needs and providing companionship and reassurance.
For total peace of mind for both you and your elderly parent, consider live-in care. This solution, which most elderly people prefer, offers not only personalised care but can be very cost-effective compared to residential alternatives.
There are numerous and substantial benefits to receiving live-in care, from maintaining independence in a much-loved home, providing companionship, supporting existing routines and hobbies and supporting overall physical and mental health.
Talk to Our Team Today
As the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency, we have been providing compassionate live-in care to those who need it since 1959 – all from the comfort of their own homes.
Give us a call today on 01293 224 706. Our experienced team is on hand to help from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. Alternatively, contact us through our online enquiry form.
