Support Technology

Technology to enhance the lives of seniors and help them age in place is improving by the day. Technology can combat senior isolation, extend the time someone can live independently and provide reassurance to concerned loved ones. For those seeking technology aids for aging parents or loved ones, seniorliving.org’s Technology for Seniors is a good starting point.

While technology can be great for seniors, seniors are also frequent targets of cybercriminals. It’s important to be aware of risks and take steps to protect loved ones. WizCase’s 9 Simple and Effective Online Safety Tips for Seniors in 2024 is worth a read.

And while technology is increasingly user-friendly, even basic technology such as a smartphone or tablet can be challenging for older seniors. advice on phones for seniors the NYT Wirecutter article The 5 Best Cell Phones for Older Adults offers excellent guidance. Especially noteworthy is their recommendation of the RAZ Memory Cell Phone for people with memory loss, dementia, or Alzheimer’s.

Nonprofits such as OATS (Older Adults Technology Services), Generations on Line, and Cyber-Seniors offer resources to help seniors use digital devices and navigate the internet. Many websites are not easy for seniors to navigate, however, Julia Olech has put together a list of 15 Best Websites for Seniors And Their Loved Ones.

The Coronavirus pandemic highlighted problems with senior isolation. Mary Shannon of seniorsmeet.org provides helpful advice in her article The 3 Best Types of Technology to Combat Senior Isolation Amid the Pandemic.

For help in choosing support technology, Wirecutter’s April 2023 article Best Smart Home Devices to Helps Seniors Age in Place is a good place to start. Some innovative ideas to promote independent living and provide remote support can be found in Mark Ray’s nextavenue article Could a Smart Home Help You Age in Place. Other potentially helpful technology includes:

  • For Emergency Alert and Urgent Response devices there are many options available and it can be hard to choose. BestCompany’s Medical Alert reviews and ratings appears unbiased and may be a good place to start.

  • At the high end, GrandCare Systems provides, “a sensor-based, proactive, predictive and preventative home health care and communication platform” encompassing remote monitoring, reminders, communication, telehealth and social engagement.

  • Monitoring tools with GPS tracking, cameras and/or sensors for checking on a loved one, tracking vital signs, environmental conditions and even falls, summoning help when needed. The Eyeon App helps people living alone to maintain their independence by automating a call for help, and reassuring those that care for them that they will be notified if there is a potential problem.

  • For loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia who may have a tendency to wander or at risk of becoming disoriented and lost, GPS enabled “Smart” insoles let one monitor their whereabouts.

  • Medication management tools such as MedMinder or Medisafe help ensure medications are taken when and as prescribed and a family member or caregiver is notified if a medication is missed.

  • Technology facilitating virtual travel and social interactions is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Rendever offers a way for seniors to travel virtually visiting other locations. Alcove VR enables seniors to be part of a virtual world with loved ones who may be far away.

Technology is constantly improving with new apps being introduced regularly. GoodEnding will update this page as new technology becomes available.