I was pleased to see that the June 2011 issue of Money Magazine had a series on “Protecting Your Parents”. The first part – How you can help by Penelope Wang, focuses on what researchers are learning about how seniors handle finances and how family members can lend a hand or help with financial decision-making. The second, Keep your aging parents safe at home, by Kim Clark, provides an overview of the technical innovations that can prolong independence and help caregivers be more effective, even from a distance.
Why was I pleased? Well, a disclosure is in order here — I was interviewed for and quoted in the second part of the article as a professional care manager and expert in aging in place technology. Being included in the article is not the only reason that I was pleased. As someone who has chosen to focus on supporting both elders and their families with care, finances and technology, it is great to see such well written and researched articles put forth by a national magazine. People need help and the information offered by these articles is becoming “mainstream”. There will be a 3rd article in this series coming out later this summer, with information on how families can protect their loved ones against elder financial abuse.
The main idea that the first article puts forth is that it is important for the older adult to retain as much financial independence as possible. It provides family members with a strategy for how they can start to get involved without actually taking over. In my work as a Private Professional Fiduciary and Care Manager, I often support clients during the transition towards getting more help, either with financial or care issues. A family member may have noticed that help is needed, or a report has been submitted to a government social service agency such as Adult Protective Services by someone concerned about the elder. It is never an easy process. As a professional, I am there to help the older adult (my client) and to help the family figure out what help is needed.
And, as readers of this blog already know, I strongly believe that technologies can help older adults to remain at home for longer and at lower cost. Kim Clark’s article provides an excellent overview of different types of products, nearly all of which I have tested and can make available to those who are interested. Many of these devices are either covered by Long Term Care Insurance or medical insurance if prescribed by a medical professional. The version of the MedReady carousel-shaped electronic pillbox which I can provide connects directly to a call center, so if the medication is not taken, the older adult gets a friendly reminder call, and if they don’t, the next person on the list is contacted. A call center also calls the older adult if they have fallen while wearing the MyHalo automatic fall detection monitor. The BeClose system is an inexpensive, wireless motion sensor system which sends very simple reports to a smartphone or email account. I can help folks figure out whether this or a more complex system is needed. And finally, IdealLife, a telehealth device that automatically transmits data from various peripherals, such as blood pressure, weight, or oxygen to the caregiver. These are all great systems. Keep an eye out on the 21st Century Care Solutions SHOP Page during the next few weeks to find these and many more products. Or, subscribe to this blog or our twitter feed and you will be notified automatically.
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