Friday, February 4, 2011

Can Mom Continue to Stay in Her Home?

     Moving into a retirement community is a big change for a senior.  Very often, he or she has lived in his or her home for a long time.  If the decision to move is not initiated by the senior, it can be a very negative change that may increase emotional distress and family turmoil.

     However, with the advancement of technology, there are a variety of devices that can prolong a senior's ability to stay in his or her home.  There are now sensors that can detect if the senior does not get out of bed or out of a favorite chair as well as detecting that the stove has not been turned off.  In addition, there are devices that monitor blood pressure, respiration and other conditions to minimize the number of visits to a doctor's office and will notify family members of a significant change.

     Evaluating whether or not a senior is still able to live at home alone can be a difficult process.  While safety is the most important factor, the senior's preference is also an important factor.  The availability of technological devices should be thoroughly researched and utilized, if possible, to honor a senior's desire to remain in his or her home.

1 comment:

  1. I totally agree. Any available devices and services should be explored and utitlized to allow a person to stay in their home as long as possible.

    ReplyDelete