When you think of technology that allows you to remain independent, what comes to mind? Is it those medical alert devices you wear around your neck? Or smart watches that monitor your heart rate and can detect falls?
There are myriad technologies available to help you remain independent, and not all of them are used to alert caregivers of a medical issue; some simply make your life easier. Here, we look at three of them and explore how to erase the stigma that might come with adopting these technologies.
Technology No. 1: Ride-Booking Apps
If you can’t or choose not to drive, you may depend on relatives, friends or neighbors to take you where you need to go. Apps like Uber and Lyft can be used to get you to and from appointments or the grocery store. However, if you don’t have a smartphone, don’t despair. Uber has partnerships with senior centers to provide rides, and family members or friends who have the Uber app installed on their smartphones can request a ride on your behalf from their app.
Lyft has partnered with GreatCall and Aging 2.0 to provide rides. If you have a Jitterbug cell phone, you can just press 0 to request a call with the GreatCall operator. Additionally, someone can request a ride your behalf through Lyft Concierge.
Gogograndparent can also get you a ride through Uber or Lyft by dialing a 1-800 number. Gogograndparent charges a concierge fee in addition to the charges from your ride network. It can also send updates about your requests and rides to your family members or friends.
Technology No. 2: Telehealth
Telehealth is defined as the exchange of medical information from one site to another via electronic communications to improve your clinical health status, which means you can have an appointment with your doctor without even leaving your home. In its most basic form, telehealth allows you to communicate with your doctor via video conferencing either from an app on your phone or on your computer. Your doctor can even monitor things like your blood pressure or glucose levels remotely using sensors and activity monitors.
Technology No. 3: Immediate Delivery
If you’ve used Amazon Prime, you know how gratifying it can feel to receive your package in a short amount of time. However, with today’s technology you can have something you ordered like groceries or a refilled prescription delivered to your door in less than 24 hours.
It doesn’t matter if you have tried all of these technological advances or are just beginning to explore what technology can do for you, these three technologies can help make your life easier and help you remain independent. What independence-maintaining technologies do you think are on the horizon?
