There’s no place like home, especially as Ireland grows older.

There’s nowhere that feels quite as comfortable as your own home. As we age, our home often contains many happy memories, and for some, the memory of stepping through that front door and thinking “I’ll grow old here”. 

Unfortunately, that can’t always be the case and as Ireland goes grey (it is predicted 1 in 3 people in Europe will be over 65 by 2060), we are faced with many challenges; from living with long term illnesses to increases in people living with dementia to the increasing pressures on homecare services. This is where new advancements in assistive technology can truly play a part in helping older people to live longer and more importantly healthier lives at home.

An  AARP survey suggests that 77% of people aged over 50 would rather stay in the comfort of their own home as they get older, but how do we as a nation make this possible, while still giving the best care we can to those who need it? How do we ensure the safety of our ageing loved ones while respecting their wishes and maintaining their dignity? 

Where do we turn when we need that extra bit of support?

Assistive Technology.

Through advances made in technology over several years, it is now possible for people to live happier, healthier, and with a lot more ease. Assistive Technologies are described as devices that aid in the daily tasks of the user. 

Assistive Technology can be used in many ways such as:

• Fall sensors which fit seamlessly into a person’s home and can pick up if a person trips, passes out, or slumps.
• Simple displays which show the date, time and day of the week for people with memory issues.
• Wander alert which can let loved ones know if a person gets into difficulty or strays outside of their usual area when out and about are particularly useful for people living with dementia. 
• Age-friendly tablets to allow loved ones to easily keep in contact and share calendar’s, video calls, and photos.
• Smart Medication dispensers which can trigger an alert if someone forgets to take their medication as prescribed.
• Even something as simple as leaving the door open or having the house at a temperature that is too hot or too cold can be regulated using simple technology today. 

There are so many options for Assistive Technology now, and for almost any reason you want. The extent to how Assistive Technology can help is constantly evolving, and readily available to those who need it or who ask for it. 

Paving the Way.

Irish company, HaloCare are pioneering the care of older people through Assistive Technology. Their bespoke services work seamlessly in conjunction with home and family care. 

Their services are discrete and work effortlessly in the background as your loved one carries on with their everyday life. 

HaloCare have a no camera ethos as they believe this allows for the older person to maintain their dignity and respect while also getting the support they need.  

So, you may ask, how does it work if there’s no cameras?

HaloCare use intelligent sensors throughout the home which detect movement, temperature, flood, heat and can even identify a fall without the need for a wearable device. 

These sensors working together allow for a clear picture of you or your loved one’s wellbeing and coupled with elements such as an age-friendly tablet for communication and vital sign monitoring for those with health issues, it creates a complete remote care service to support older people living at home.  

HaloCare’s assistive technology is also wireless with no need for home renovations or rewiring for it’s simple installation. No need for Wi-Fi, and with its own built-in batteries, there is no need to worry about power outages with the unpredictable Irish weather conditions. 

Of course, technology alone is not enough and the true core of HaloCare’s service is a 24/7 team of experienced and compassionate Care Specialists who build relationships with HaloCare customers and are always on hand, day or night, should something unexpected happen like a fall or medical emergency or even if they just need a little extra support and a chat. 

So you see, through innovation it is now possible to keep your homebird where they belong, for as long as they need with the support they need. 

Happy, Healthy, Home.