Ways AI Can Improve Care for Seniors

There are lots of stories out there about the dangers of Artificial Intelligence, and how scary it can be. There are fears of Big Brother watching through AI, and scams with voice cloning that can target senior citizens. While there are many watchful stories, there also are hopeful stories on how AI can help improve care for senior citizens, as well as help them maintain their independence, staying in the comfort of their own homes. The advances don’t mean there aren’t still fears out there, especially for senior citizens who might be adverse to some of the new technology. But there are ways it can be used to seniors’ advantage.

How to Use AI to Benefit Senior Care

Keeping Track

For anyone, it can be hard to remember how many times they’ve visited the bathroom, or if they took their medicine. For aging adults, that can prove to be an even bigger challenge. Through advances in AI, there are sensors that can help record that information, and then relay any changes or anomalies to family members and/or health care professionals.

Analysis

While AI can keep track if mom isn’t taking her medication, it also can help analyze the data it is collecting on patients and seniors. For example, it can analyze the frequency of urination, and help diagnose a urinary tract infection. The analysis might note that a senior is using the bathroom less frequently instead of more, and that they could be dehydrated and not drinking enough water, especially for the medicine they are taking. With all of the senior’s health information at its fingertips, it can help interpret the data it is getting at a moment’s notice.

Less travel

With all of the analysis and interpretation that can happen right within the home, AI can mean seniors need to make fewer in person visits to their health providers. That can be especially useful for senior citizens who have trouble getting out of the house or moving about. While it still is important to get face-to-face with your medical provider, for smaller issues that pop up in between visits it can be useful for aging adults. It can also be helpful for seniors who live in two different spots during the year - in a summer and winter home. If their regular doctor is in one location, the data can be submitted immediately even when they are far away.

Safety Sensing

AI not only can help keep track of a senior’s health, but also of his or her well being. Sensors can be used to detect whether a senior has gotten out of bed in the morning, and if they get up later than usual. The sensors can collect data, which a computer analyzes using algorithms, and churns out patterns based on that data. It could alert family members if a senior is still in bed an hour or two after he normally awakes. The sensors can also detect if a senior opens their front door and never closes it, or never comes back in. They can tell if a senior has gone out late at night, and analyze that the senior might be in trouble. The sensors can detect if a senior was walking to the kitchen and never made it, possibly indicating a fall. There also are AI cameras that are especially programmed to look out for falls when watching a senior’s movements. While some seniors might resist this type of “eyes on” system as an invasion of privacy, others find it a helpful way for them to stay within their own homes as they age.

Visiting Angels Can Help

If you are looking for home care for aging seniors, and face-to-face care, our caregivers at Visiting Angels Webster can help. Our professionally trained caregivers offer a variety of services, including companion care, fall prevention, personal care, respite care and care for seniors suffering from dementia or Alzheimers. Our experts can help tailor our care plans to your senior’s needs. 

Our office serves seniors in Southeast Houston and the Bay Area Communities, including El Lago, Webster, Pearland, Friendswood, Kemah, League City, Dickinson, Taylor Lake Village, Deer Park, Pasadena, Seabrook, San Leon, Texas City, Clear Lake Shores and Brookside Village. We can come to your home, find out what needs you have, and develop a care plan tailored to your needs. Call us at (832) 632-2273 for more information.

If you are interested in caring for senior clients in the community, visit us online to find out more about a career in home care.