As we continue to talk about the population of seniors over the age of 65 doubling by 2030 and the current statistics of hospitalizations related to falls being 27,000 deaths and 800,000 hospitalizations, families and healthcare professionals continue to search for better solutions for aging safely.
Seniors and senior caregivers are asking questions such as:
- “How can we prevent falls and also know what could be a trigger?”
- “How can I access healthcare and decrease cost, time and germ exposure?”
According to Aging in Place, 25% of seniors in their 60s say they are not confident that their communities will have the resources and services they need to lead a healthy and independent life over the next 5-10 years.
Mobile technology in healthcare has reached a point of no return. As a society we are all VERY connected by phone and online as Smartphones do it all. They are the norm connecting us. So, it makes sense for seniors, their caregivers, and families, to leverage this channel as well.
Here are a few powerful ways your team can use technology to address questions such as these and better understand and streamline care.
- Optimize your care by increasing technology use
Using technology for initiatives such as fall prevention is not new. We have all seen pressure pads, motion detectors, and other electronic systems to notify caregivers via alert for potential risks. These solutions do not look to prevent falls, do not alert to changes in health, and can bring forth a “crying wolf” scenario leading to decreased sensitivity and reaction. Falls continue to be a number one concern needing addressed by healthcare professionals and families alike.
The use of AI technology opens doors to informed and proactive healthcare by using machine learning to establish baseline tendencies, monitor for any changes, and alert for more timely and accurate assessments by tracking your getting up and down habits. This form of technology can be non-intrusive, protect against falls, reduce mistakes, increase awareness, and enable earlier interventions when needed most.
- Enable text messaging for immediate notification and response opportunities
A study earlier in the year showed almost 40% of Americans were still concerned visiting healthcare professionals related to virus exposure risk and 30% have not seen a doctor for routine checkups since the onset of the pandemic. Text messaging can fill this gap by offering app-based scheduling, appointment reminders, and notification options when linked to custom AI products.
Text messaging streamlines healthcare communications between everyone on the care team. It decreases hours of wasted time playing phone tag and reduces potential errors between care providers when all parties are informed.
- Include telehealth services in your care monitoring
Mobile technology has definitely increased over the last year. Physicians, therapists and healthcare professionals can provide more services via telehealth and work to decrease the spread of viruses and streamline non-emergent care. Options for remote patient monitoring, virtual check-ins and e-visits, telehealth services and virtual supervision requirements are not going anywhere and continue to streamline care initiatives and decrease cost and time commitments for all involved.
Where can I get started with artificial intelligence and mobile technology for my healthcare needs?
If you’re looking for solutions as discussed above, the question remains: which AI technology would be a good fit for you?
Source of Life Technologies offers solutions specifically tailored to solving these questions.
- Our fall prevention product, Mat of Life, acts to reduce falls by offering screening tools and a tracking platform where seniors and their caregivers can monitor baseline tendencies and display habits on the mobile app. Also, the integrated alert system notifies caregiving teams via SMS text, phone call, or 911 response depending on customized fall settings.
- Chat-a-doc is a downloadable app that provides a simple, secure, and convenient way to receive healthcare you need, now. The video chat option ensures you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home and can work in tandem with our AI technology.
Technologies such as this are vastly changing the healthcare industry and bringing peace of mind to senior safety in fall prevention and physician chat features.
From online engagement, mobile app opportunities, and to senior care fall strategies, healthcare shouldn’t be reactive - it should be proactive. Doors have been opened to on-demand healthcare and it turns out the overwhelming majority of patients, physicians, families and therapists want to continue down that path. The decision to modernize your senior care strategies is a big one and doesn’t happen overnight. Talk to the Source of Life Technologies team for the guidance and direction you need to make the change in your organization or home.
