The Best Tech Tools to Help Seniors Age in Place

In one recent study of 1,000 respondents aged 55 or older, 89% of participants said they wanted to age in place at home versus seeking traditional senior living homes.

Yet, the same Today’s Homeowner study shows that only about 34% are confident they can afford to do so. A 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey found Florida seniors can expect to fork out around $4,000 monthly for assisted living costs.

Does it sound too costly? Luckily, resourceful family members can find ways to incorporate helpful tech to make aging in place at home much easier and safer — and with peace of mind. Devices and tools like voice-activated speakers and apps can make life safer, simpler and more convenient for seniors.

Below, we share ways to use tech to help seniors live independently and comfortably in their own homes.

Medical and Health Apps

Whether they need a pill reminder, a healthy diet planner or a telehealth program, health apps — like Pill Monitor, MedWatcher and iBP — make it easy to keep health in check. Don’t forget to ask medical providers for patient portal details to get set up with a simple way to connect with doctors at any time. Be sure to download apps to do home delivery and prescription delivery to make it easier for seniors to get essentials, too.

Smart Screens

Given that many seniors often live far from family, in-person visits can be challenging. Smart screens connect to home Wi-Fi networks and create a simple way to visually connect. These screens can be used for telemedicine appointments, to call family or friends, emergency services and beyond.

Emergency Contact Systems

Aging sometimes means losing balance and taking falls. For the elderly, a fall can be disastrous. Emergency-contact systems like wearable necklaces or watches offer on-call monitoring and can include fall alerts. These wearable devices — like an Apple watch — can notify a neighbor, building manager or loved one that an elderly person needs help. Some charge a monthly fee, but ones that don’t require a contract are often favored.

Voice Assistance

Concerned your loved one will forget to put on a wearable? Consider a voice assistance option instead, like an Amazon Dot or Echo. These options are small and unobtrusive and can be used with a simple verbal command. While it doesn’t connect to emergency services like 911, it can be used to connect to a loved one quickly. My SOS Family smart response system pairs with Alexa or Google Nest and is a great way for the elderly to immediately call and text emergency contacts concurrently by text, automated calls, email and app notifications.

Local Resources

Locally, there are resources to help the elderly get referrals and advocacy, learn more about in-home aging technology and more.

• Council on Aging of Volusia County (COA) – COA can help individuals locate in-home services, meal services and other assistance.
  
  
• disAbility Solutions for Independent Living – This organization offers specialized services, including advocacy and courses like the CookAbles Independent Living Skills Class to help disabled individuals modify cooking environments to fit their needs.
  
  
• Aging-in-place general contractors – Need to modify the home for safety? Bathrooms and kitchens can be adapted to help those with limited mobility to make aging at home easier by companies like Sawgrass Plantation Enterprises.

If you’re a caregiver for the elderly, don’t forget to look into Medicaid programs for assisted living, veteran benefits and long-term care insurance. These resources can help fund certain aspects of aging-in-place lifestyles, too.