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If you’re an NRI living abroad, you might be feeling the weight of ensuring your elderly parents in India are well taken care of. We get it – managing elder care from afar can be tough. It’s a good thing then, that thanks to some cool tech gadgets, you can keep a close eye on their health and well-being, even if you’re thousands of miles away. Let’s dive into 10 Useful technology gadgets that can make a big difference for your senior parents and give you some peace of mind.
What is it? Medical alert systems are wearable devices, like pendants or smartwatches, or devices you can place around the house that let seniors call for help with the press of a button.
Why It’s Useful: These gadgets are a lifeline in emergencies. If your parents have a fall or a caretaker or anyone around them need some form of urgent help, they can hit the button and get immediate assistance.
How It Helps You: With a system that often includes GPS, you can track their location and know they’re in good hands, even from afar. Knowing that they can access medical help in a pinch will bring you peace of mind.
What is it? Smart home sensors are like technology detectives placed around the house. They monitor things like movement and temperature, and alert you if something seems off.
Why It’s Useful: These sensors can tell if your parents haven’t moved in a while, if there’s a lot of movement at a time when there shouldn’t be or if there’s a sudden temperature change that could be dangerous. They can detect fire, water, intrusions, sudden disturbances and send an alert over the wireless link immediately, alerting the right network to an emergency.
How It Helps You: You can get notifications if there’s a problem, so you can act fast and make sure the right steps are taken. You can also make sure that the right people in your network have access to the notifications to ensure better coordination.
What is it? These include smart gadgets like blood pressure monitors and glucometers that monitor crucial vitals and parameters consistently and sync with apps to keep track of vital signs. There are also more advanced systems that include ECG and other vital parameters.
Why It’s Useful: They help your parents keep tabs on their health without needing to visit the doctor constantly. In case your parents are unable to move for any reason, they allow medical professionals to keep tabs on their health parameters at a distance and make plans accordingly.
How It Helps You: You can view their health data remotely, keeping you in the loop and allowing you to share updates with their doctors if needed. You can also observe any concerning abnormalities or fluctuations, even across the distance, and have it investigated.
What is it? Video doorbells are smart doorbells with a camera and mic, letting your parents see and chat with visitors through a smartphone app before they decide if they need to be let in. It's particularly useful in case of smaller housing areas which may not have as much security.
Why It’s Useful: People inside the home can see who’s at the door or ask any necessary questions without having to answer it in person, which is great for safety.
How It Helps You: You can monitor home security and even talk to your parents directly through the video doorbell, making communication easier.
What is it? These apps let seniors call for help or send alerts to emergency contacts with a single tap on their smartphone.
Why It’s Useful: They offer a quick way to get help and share location information in case of an emergency.
How It Helps You: Knowing your parents have an easy way to call for help can give you peace of mind, and you can track their location if they need assistance.
What is it? These are smart pill dispensers and reminder systems that help seniors take their meds on time.
Why It’s Useful: They reduce the chances of missed or incorrect doses, which is crucial for managing health.
How It Helps You: You can check if your parents are sticking to their medication schedule and receive alerts if they miss a dose.
What is it? Fitness trackers monitor activity levels, steps, calories burned, and sometimes heart rate and sleep patterns.
Why It’s Useful: They encourage seniors to stay active and healthy, with real-time feedback on their fitness.
How It Helps You: You can keep an eye on their activity levels and motivate them to stay moving, plus share data with their healthcare providers.
What is it? Devices like Amazon Echo or Google Home let seniors use voice commands to control smart home features, set reminders, and get information.
Why It’s Useful: They make it easy for seniors to manage their home and daily tasks without needing to physically interact with multiple gadgets.
How It Helps You: You can set up reminders for important tasks or medication and even use voice commands to check in with your parents.
What is it? Smart thermostats let you control home temperatures remotely via a smartphone app.
Why It’s Useful: They help maintain a comfortable environment by adjusting temperatures based on preferences and outside weather.
How It Helps You: You can ensure your parents’ home stays at a comfortable temperature, which is important for their health and safety.
What is it? Home security cameras offer video surveillance of different areas in the home, which you can monitor from your smartphone.
Why It’s Useful: They keep an eye on the home and help you check in on your parents’ safety and well-being.
How It Helps You: You can watch live feeds and review recorded footage to ensure everything’s alright, giving you an extra layer of reassurance.
1. Understand Your Parents’ Needs
Before you buy any gadgets, think about what your parents actually need. Are they tech-savvy? Do they have specific health issues or safety concerns? Tailor your choices to their lifestyle and health requirements.
2. Pick User-Friendly Gadgets
Choose gadgets that are simple and intuitive for your parents to use. Look for devices with easy-to-read instructions and good customer support to help with any setup or usage issues.
3. Set Up and Test Everything
When you get the gadgets, set them up and make sure they work as expected. Test them out yourself so you can help your parents if they run into any problems.
4. Provide Training and Support
Take the time to show your parents how to use the gadgets. Walk them through the basics and be patient as they learn. Regularly check in to offer support and answer any questions.
5. Stay in Touch
Keep in touch with your parents regularly to make sure they’re comfortable using the gadgets and everything is functioning properly. Encourage open communication so they feel supported.
6. Work with Healthcare Providers
Share any relevant data from these gadgets with your parents’ doctors. This helps ensure they receive the best care based on accurate and up-to-date information.
Conclusion
For NRIs, investing in these technology gadgets can make a huge difference in managing elder care from afar. They not only help with safety and health monitoring but also help you stay connected with your elderly parents in India. By choosing the right gadgets and helping your parents get familiar with them, you can ensure they’re well cared for and enjoy a better quality of life. Embrace these tech tools for a smoother, more connected approach to elder care!
