The Importance of Wearable Devices for the Elderly

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People of all ages are using wearable technology to help track their activity levels, sleep quality, oxygen saturation, hydration, and diet goals. Wearable devices can be a great tool to encourage you to get your body moving and maintain a healthier lifestyle.

This study from 2020 found that adults who take 8,000 or more steps every day may have a lower risk of death from several diseases, compared to those who take less than 4,000 steps a day. This means getting seniors motivated to move more can improve their lives.

There are many types of wearable devices that offer different benefits to suit the user’s needs. But not all are user-friendly for senior citizens, who could greatly benefit from using assistive devices to live longer, healthier, happier lives.

Let’s take a closer look at the importance of wearable devices, and how they can improve the lives of seniors. 

What Are the Most Popular Wearable Devices?

While those are the most popular devices, there are many other types of technology solutions that are improving the quality of life for seniors.

Wearable fitness trackers

These devices are worn on your wrist and are equipped with sensors to keep track of your heart rate and physical activity. Other features include tracking how many calories you burn during the day, calculating stress levels, and monitoring your sleep patterns.

Smartwatches

Smartwatches used to have functions only to tell time and track your steps, but they have evolved into useful tools with features to keep track of your health. They can also remind you of important events, provide GPS tracking in case you get lost, and show incoming calls and text message communication without your phone.

It is important that tech for seniors is designed with them in mind. They should have user-friendly interfaces with large, high-resolution touchscreens and oversized icons to make it easier for those with poor eyesight. Voice-controlled devices can also be a good option for seniors.

Some seniors don’t feel comfortable using technology. This can be due to them not trusting it, or because they don’t know how to use it.

Why Are Wearable Devices Important for Seniors?

According to a 2019 study, elderly people represented 16% of the world’s population in 2018, and around 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day. Seniors turning 65 today have almost a 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care and support for their remaining years.

Near the height of COVID-19, around 94% of nursing homes and 81% of assisted living communities were experiencing a shortage of employees. This makes it likely that more seniors are on waiting lists for care. Using wearable devices can help when round-the-clock care isn’t possible by connecting doctors with their patients through mobile applications, and providing SOS message features that send the user’s medical information and their location to first responders in the event of an emergency.

In this 2014 study, it was found that up to one in four Americans every year aged 65 and over experiences a fall, and less than half of them were willing to tell their doctors. Wearable devices can help detect and prevent potential injuries or other health-related issues from going unnoticed, providing the users, family members, and caregivers more peace of mind.

This study shows nearly 90% of adults over 50 want to “age in place”— where they stay in their own homes, instead of in a care facility. A familiar environment, like a family home associated with good memories, allows them to maintain a sense of independence.

A loss of independence can be incredibly discouraging to seniors. They have spent their time being independent and working, making decisions for themselves, and even raising families. They are unique individuals with their own personalities, experiences, and beliefs. Losing the ability to make decisions for themselves after being independent for their entire lives can make them feel less like an individual and cause them to struggle with their sense of self.

Feeling like they are losing their independence or ability to make decisions for themselves can be detrimental to their mental health, which can cause issues such as depression, anxiety, irritability, and hopelessness.

Using wearable devices, along with other ways to help seniors stay at home, can help give them back a sense of control and maintain their quality of life.

Wearable tech should be easy for seniors to navigate and use, especially in emergency situations where every moment counts. It should have functions that help with their specific needs like monitoring the user’s blood pressure and other vital signs, and checking for changes in daily and nightly routines, like how many trips to the bathroom they are taking, and other signals that could point to health issues that may need to be checked by a primary care doctor.

How Does Wearable Technology Impact the Lives of Seniors?

Wearable tech, such as Fitbit, Apple Watch, and Freedom Guardian not only provide seniors with the ability to receive emergency assistance with the touch of a button, but some of these devices also offer support with built-in Wi-Fi and LTE connectivity, which means they continue to provide services whether your loved one is out grocery shopping, going for a walk, or running errands.

Other features can include reminders for paying bills on time and keeping up with daily medications.

They also make it easier for seniors to stay in touch with friends and loved ones without needing to carry and keep track of a separate smartphone. This is very important for seniors because staying in touch and socializing can reduce the chances that seniors will experience anxiety and depression caused by loneliness and isolation. 

Depression can have a negative impact on ongoing medical conditions or chronic illnesses, it can worsen disabilities and ultimately raise mortality rates. Positive and consistent social interactions also keep seniors intellectually engaged, mentally sharp, and proper socialization can even play a big role in preventing diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s. 

Some great ways for seniors to socialize include frequent visits with family, volunteering, or signing up for clubs and activity groups. Wearable devices can make socializing easier by setting event reminders and providing a way to stay in touch through social media and talk or text.

Final Thoughts

Wearable technology is a growing industry with many health benefits for seniors. There are many options with different features in various price ranges to suit the needs of the user. Wearable devices can be a great gift that allows more independence and peace of mind, and that is simply priceless.