Product Provides Remote Wellness Checks for Monitoring Seniors at Home
There is little question that older adults prefer to remain in their homes instead of long-term care facilities. While the popularity of assisted living continues to increase, both care recipients and their families would rather stay in the home environment.
A Canadian company has introduced a new product that allows caregivers and families to easily monitor older adults remotely. Cognitive Systems Corp. has launched "Caregiver Aware," which enables caregivers and loved ones to perform remote checks on well-being and view live motion images in a loved one's home without invading their privacy or violating their independence, as is done through cameras or wearable devices.
"This first iteration of Caregiver Aware is a significant stepping stone to a proactive health model, and for the majority of adults who want to age in place, Caregiver Aware not only meets industry needs but also societal needs," said Taj Manku, co-founder and CEO of Cognitive Systems.
Families Struggle with Caregiving
Families and caregivers struggle with the emotional burden of worrying about their loved one's well-being as they get older and require help with daily living activities or supervision due to declining memory. Products like this one can relieve some of that stress and provide a better quality of life for older adults and those with declining health due to aging.
Many people fail to plan for the consequences of aging and declining health. The result is that people must either use their income and savings to pay for professional care or use family members, often a daughter or daughter-in-law, to provide informal care.
There are 53 million Americans that provide unpaid care to a family member or friend. Over half of informal caregivers are female (61%), and their average age is 50 years old. These family caregivers must juggle their career responsibilities, family, and caregiving duties. The physical and emotional demands on these caregivers are life changing.
New Technology Helps Loved Ones Stay at Home
Products that help people remain in their homes may make it easier and more affordable for everyone. If the care recipient has a Long-Term Care Insurance policy, it will pay for professional in-home care (in addition to facility care). Many plans will also pay for items that make it easier to remain at home. Those items can include ramps, chairlifts, medical alert systems, and even monitoring systems like 'Caregiver Aware,' which might be covered once in the mass market.
The growing number of people worldwide who need help with daily living activities or supervision due to dementia is a tremendous burden on both families and finances. In the United States, traditional health insurance, including Medicare and supplements, will only pay for a limited amount of skilled long-term care services. Medicaid will only pay for long-term health care services if the care recipient has little or no income and assets. Typically, care is delivered in a Medicaid approved nursing home.
Advance Planning Addresses Costs and Burdens of Aging
Families face few choices when they fail to plan ahead of time. A growing number of products are becoming available that help living at home easier for those who need care. Without LTC Insurance, family caregivers will still have the primary responsibility if professional care is unavailable due to limited funds.
Many American families are now planning for long-term health care before their retirement. For many, Long-Term Care Insurance offers a way to have access to quality care options, including in-home care. The benefits protect assets and give loved ones the time to be family instead of caregivers.