Technology For Seniors

The news has been fixated on an outbreak of coronavirus in the Chinese province of Hubei. At this point, there is absolutely no reason to panic or even worry outside of China. Here are the facts:

• Coronavirus refers to a class of viruses; much the same way lizards are a class of animal. 
• Both the common cold and many gastrointestinal viruses are coronaviruses, as were the SARS and MERS viruses, which hit the news several years back.
• Most coronavirus infections are minor in humans, unpleasant but not dangerous unless someone has other underlying conditions.
• Medical authorities have confirmed that the virus is now being transmitted through human-to-human contact.
• Chinese authorities are restricting travel in some areas to help slow the spread of the outbreak, even shutting down public transit in the city of Wuhan (which has a larger population than New York City). 

While there is no reason to worry, it’s still the depths of flu season in the US and western Europe, so it’s as good a time as any to brush up on our contagious disease prevention protocols.

• The single most effective way to stave off respiratory infections is also the simplest: wash your hands. Simple soap and water (no need for antibacterial agents) before any meals, taking medications, putting in/taking out contact lenses, etc.
• Check your home’s heating and ventilation system. A dirty HVAC system could be a breeding ground for pathogens. 
• If you begin to feel sick, go to the doctor. They can do a simple test for the presence of flu viruses in your system. If the test comes back positive, they can prescribe a broad antiviral which shortens the duration of the infection.
• If you do get sick, try to stay home as much as possible. Going to work/school/church/etc. while you are contagious doesn’t make you brave, it just makes everyone around you sick.
• Be particularly careful about interacting with people who have health problems, and this includes your senior loved ones. Staying away from them for a week is better than giving them a dangerous respiratory infection. 

While there is no reason to worry, it’s still the depths of flu season in the US and western Europe, so it’s as good a time as any to brush up on our contagious disease prevention protocols.

The recently concluded CES (consumer electronics show) had the usual showcases for new TVs, cutting edge computers and the newest home gadgets. But this year’s show had a new focus: technology for our aging population.

Some of the products were riffs on classic CES products, but with a focus on senior markets. Including:
A ball-shaped robot from Samsung which can detect when a person has fallen, and even roll over to them and ask if they need help.

A hand-held medical scanner that can perform tests like heart rate & ECG and transmit the data to a doctor, cutting down on office visits.

True wireless earbuds which isolate & amplify speech, making it easier to converse in loud spaces without making everything else louder.

But some of the more exciting advances were less cutting edge. Gillette showed off their Treo razor, the first home razor designed to shave someone else. It is ergonomically designed to be wielded by another user and comes with a shaving cream dispenser in its handle. Being unable to shave oneself safely is an issue few younger people think about, but it can be a real source of distress for some seniors. A product designed to do just that could help restore a little dignity to millions of seniors or disabled persons.

Other companies brought apps for smartwatches which could do things like detect falls or strokes, or communicate for people with speech disabilities. Even relatively simple apps like that could help take some stress off of caregivers by giving them another avenue of communication or warning.

Could something as simple as an eye exam help detect Alzheimer’s before symptoms emerge? This is the question researchers at the University of Rhode Island are currently investigating. 

According to the Providence Journal, the test would use non-invasive instruments to scan the eye searching for biomarkers and could be conducted in most ophthalmic practices. Previously only expensive PET Scans could detect these biomarkers. 

Numerous studies have shown that treating Alzheimer’s early can dramatically slow the progression of the disease. Making the screening process cheaper, easier and less invasive should greatly increase early detection rates, and get at-risk people into treatment regimens early enough for them to have some beneficial effects. 

More research is needed before the test begins showing up at your local eye doctors’ office, but it could be a sea change for how we diagnose and attack the disease. 

A new study out of Brazil shows that some relatively simple activities and exercises designed around fall-prevention can have significant beneficial effects for participants.

The interactive session was split into two parts: a lecture session which highlighted the risks associated with falls, and a group memory game activity. Participants in the course were later quizzed on the lecture session, and their recall of the essential elements of the presentation was much higher than in the control group, which did not participate in the memory game session. 

While the sample group of the study was relatively small, it does line up with existing clinical work showing that mental activities like games performed in close proximity to lessons or other learning activities can dramatically improve recall. This finding becomes doubly important for people with diseases like Parkinson’s, whose recall can be impacted by their condition. We need to wait for further clinical studies to show just how impactful this correlation can be. But memory care facilities around the world are sure to be adding even short memory games to the end of informative presentations in the hope of aiding participant recall. 

As we enter the winter holiday season, it’s the perfect time to think about fun and games. Specifically, about games and activities, you can play as a family, including your elder loved ones. 

Lego – The evergreen classic. There is nothing like spilling a whole mess of Lego pieces onto the dining room table and letting everyone contribute to one massive build. You can stick to the “directions” or just let everyone’s imagination go wild. Seniors with arthritis or other dexterity issues may need some assistance, but in most cases, they’ll still love being brought into the group. 

Board Games – While the old classics like Monopoly and Chutes & Ladders are still out there; the last 20 years have seen an explosion of new and innovative sorts of board games. These games have a wide range of complexity, so in general, you want to steer towards the ones labeled “easy” or “moderate” and with shorter game times (<30 minutes are best). You can pair up seniors with children as teams, or just find a cooperative game – like Forbidden Island or Pandemic – and let everyone work together. As game nights grow more common, you can introduce more games, and more complex games, based on the reaction of the group. 

You Don’t Know Jack – This hit video game is available on just about any device or platform available today, and can be played on just about any TV you have. Each installment of the game includes a selection of different party & trivia games for groups to enjoy. Best of all, every player can use their own smartphone or tablet as their personal controller. The games are mostly riffs on classic party games like Pictionary, Trivial Pursuit & Charades, so they’re generally easy to learn. By giving your senior loved ones their own controller (this is an excellent use for old smartphones which may be lying around the home. They don’t need active cell service for this, just wi-fi access) you allow the entire family to play together and strengthen their bonds in the process. 

Cookie decorating – While it may not be great for our waistlines, there’s an undeniable joy that comes from adding colorful decorations to sweet treats. It’s a messy – but quite safe – sort of fun that can bring the oldest and youngest members of the family together. While some members of the family prepare doughs & bake off the results, you can sit the group at a table with cookie cutters, colored icings, sprinkles & any sort of edible decorations you can get your hands on. And the finished products can make a wonderful gift for friends of your elder loved ones. 

Whichever activities you choose, try to be considerate of the needs of the seniors you’re trying to engage. Think about whatever impairments or disabilities they have and select activities that work around those issues. Don’t force every game or activity to be uber-competitive or judged. Seniors don’t want to be condescended to, but they also don’t want to feel like they are being taken advantage of, either. 

Alzheimer’s patients who are exposed to pets such as dogs display more positive behavior, according to a study carried out on an Alzheimer’s special care unit. Additional studies show that pets can provide companionship, reduce isolation, and ease anxiety. Modern

technology has now embraced the benefits that pets offer Alzheimer’s patients. These studies have resulted in therapy pets increasingly utilized by individuals with cognitive disorders.

But exactly how do real and replica pets help Alzheimer’s patients? Dr. Jonathan Graff-Radford states that regular physical activity can slow down dementia symptoms in those who already have the disease, and can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s in those who are at risk of developing it. Despite this, 28% of over 50’s never exercise, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). This is concerning as this group is one of the most at risk of dementia. Thankfully, when a pet is brought into the mix, individuals with Alzheimer’s and those who are at risk of developing it are more likely to:

• Head outdoors
• Enjoy long walks with their companion
• Get up and play with their pet
• Explore new locations on foot

Combat loneliness 

38% of people living with dementia say that they feel lonely, and a further 12% say that they’re not sure whether what they feel qualifies as loneliness, according to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Loneliness in Alzheimer’s patients typically occurs due to:

• A lack of confidence in their abilities
• Fear that they will become confused
• Losing contact with family and friends
• Being secretive about their health 

As pets are always there, will always listen, and don’t judge, they make the perfect companion for individuals feeling these emotions. What’s more, having the responsibility of a pet provides people with a sense of purpose and makes them feel needed. Even if the pet is a lifelike replica rather than a real animal, these emotions are encouraged. 

Increases feel-good hormones

Serotonin is a vital neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in a person’s mood, appetite, sleep, and alertness, in addition to multiple other things. Recent studies have found a link between low serotonin levels and the development of Alzheimer’s. As such, actions should be taken to boost the chemicals interacting with the brain in Alzheimer’s patients to prevent depressive symptoms and poor health taking over. Pet therapy is ideal for these individuals as the University of Missouri-Columbia found that stroking a dog for just a few minutes releases multiple “happiness hormones,” including serotonin.

Control & manage symptoms better

Naturally, not every individual with Alzheimer’s will want a pet. There are also factors to consider, such as meeting the pet’s exercise requirements and remembering to feed and groom it regularly. This is where pet therapy comes into its own as giving an individual with

Alzheimer’s a lifelike pet which breathes, sleeps, and feels like a real animal can alleviate a whole host of symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease. A 2016 study concluded that robotic pets can help control anxiety and depression symptoms just as well as medical drugs.

Additionally, pet therapy proved to be successful at symptom control in patients.

There’s no denying that Alzheimer’s can be a difficult disease to manage. But, thankfully, pets, including ones that utilize the latest technology, can provide a significant amount of love and affection that people with Alzheimer’s need. What’s more, these individuals will benefit from having a companion by their side.

As the days grow shorter and colder, it’s important to prepare for the season. This doesn’t just mean bringing the houseplants in and getting the fireplace cleaned. It also means making sure your elder relatives and loved ones are prepared for the winter. 

If you have elder relatives who live independently:

• Do they have someone who will come over and clear walkways, driveways & outside steps when there is snowfall? Do they have an alternative person if needed?
• Do they have a good supply of toiletries, batteries, medicines, water, and canned or dry food? Experts say you should always have 3-5 days worth of supplies on hand. And you always want to make sure the food & medicines your elder loved ones have on hand is unexpired & in good condition. 
• Has their heating system been inspected & serviced recently? Are their smoke, CO2, and Radon detectors operational with fresh batteries? If they have a fireplace, has it been checked out recently?
• Remove dangerous items like candles, heated blankets, space heaters, matches & lighters from home. Items like these can trigger fires if used improperly or if forgotten about. Better to remove them from home than risk tragedy. 
• Ask for the contact info of a neighbor who can check on them if needed. 

If you have elder relatives who live in a managed care facility:

• Call the facility and ask about their severe weather plans. What happens when a major snowstorm strikes? Do they have backup generators? Do they provide accommodations for their employees so they can ride out the storm at the facility rather than be stranded at home, unable to help? How many days’ worth of supplies do they have on hand in the event the roads are closed? 
• You should also inquire about winter activities at the facility. Seasonal affective disorder afflicts seniors, too. A good facility will have a host of activities & events to keep residents occupied during the winter. And a donation of games, toys, movies, music, or other activities will almost always be generously accepted. 
• Make sure your loved one has warm, comfortable & well-fitting winter gear. Many seniors get very attached to articles of clothing, but sometimes you need to be firm about replacing sub-standard items. 

The winter may not be that bad yet, but the time to ask these questions is before the weather turns, not after. 

Those of us who care for elderly loved ones have few fears greater than wandering. News stories like this one pop up, and a chill goes up to our spines. Thankfully, that Alzheimer’s patent was found by the police and returned home safe and sound. But we all know that stories like that end in tragedy more often than we’d all like. 

There are a number of steps you can take to help protect your loved ones. A door alarm, paired with a basic chain or slide lock can help you intercept a loved one before they leave home. Have cards printed up with your address and cell phone number, and make sure your loved one keeps several of these cards in their wallet or purse. A medical bracelet with that contact info may also be a good idea. Finally, identify the places your loved one is most likely to go if they leave home – a cafe, a supermarket, a mall – and ask the management if you could leave a flyer with their picture and your contact info on it. If they do show up, you can be called rather than the police.

Ultimately, this will involve some very difficult conversations between the caregiver and the care recipient. Seniors, like most adults, hate to be treated like children. When the time comes to have this conversation, avoid any words which infantilize or belittle them. No senior wants to wander off, but at the same time, they often resist measures that would prevent it. Reinforce that you are looking out for their best interests, in the most unobtrusive way possible. It will not be an easy conversation, but it is a necessary one for many families. 

[https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/senior-found-safe-after-wandering-at-night-on-rural-road-opp]