Tracking Your Aging Parents With Tech: Giving The Sandwich Generation Peace of Mind

Image by Kim Heimbuch from Pixabay

As a member of the sandwich generation you are more than likely finding your aging parents becoming more and more dependent on you. This can leave you responsible for a lot of things. Keeping an eye out for health and safety is a major part of this responsibility. This is usually easier said than done, especially if you are busy maintaining your career, and  healthy social life. 

There are ways and means around most things nowadays, thanks to the help of smart technology. Keeping track of your family is no exception. With helpful tech, you can easily make keeping an eye on the elderly members of the family part of your everyday life.

When it comes to your aging parents…

Sometimes your aging parent(s) may decide to stay in their home rather than move into a nursing or care home. Oftentimes the decision for them to move in with you will be taken. Whether in their own home  or living co-dependently in your family home they will more than likely be on their own for some time throughout the day, as you and your family carry on with your business. This can lead to feelings of guilt, worry and stress as you contemplate what situations they may get themselves into without you there. Some solutions to put your mind at ease (and help your parent(s) with everyday living) include:

Sort Out The Meds 

Medication and old age go together like bread and butter. Your parent(s) will probably have to take some form of medicine throughout the day. Unfortunately, a big part of aging can include forgetfulness. Even if your parent does not have dementia or Alzheimer's they may sometimes mix things up, or forget certain things. However, with a digital pill dispenser, you can put your mind at ease and ensure your parent is receiving their medication on time, and in the right dosage.  

Introduce a Personal Alarm 

Should you be worried about your aging parent hurting themselves or falling and being unable to reach their phone, a personal alarm might be a good place to start. 

These are devices that can be worn around the neck or on the wrist, which when pressed trigger an alert to a national helpline which is open 24 hours. 

Pobal is responsible for this system in Ireland, whilst Age UK run an alert scheme in the UK. 

Photo by bruce mars from Pexels

Start Video Monitoring 

Home monitoring has become very popular with all generations in recent years. Having your house rigged to be a ‘smart home’ is all the rage. This statement is very true, but it is something you can inform your elderly parents of should they not like the idea of video monitoring. 

With video monitoring, you can keep an eye on the goings-on in a house from anywhere in the world via your smartphone. You can even go a step further than just video monitoring by adding sensors that will track movement in the house and/or outside, hook up light bulbs to come on at a certain time, and even turn the heating on from anywhere in the world! 

With this technology, you can have peace of mind that your parents are safe, no matter where you are. You can also opt to have alerts sent straight to your phone. For example, if the sensors pick up a sudden change in routine like the dog not being fed at the same time it has been fed everyday since the hardware was installed an alert will be sent to you, allowing you to investigate further. 

Jinga Life can integrate with all of these “smart” devices letting you care for your elderly parents right from the palm of your hand on the Jinga Life App. Learn more about how Jinga Life can promote a peace of mind to take care of your parents.