Product Review: QuietCare
Advances in elder care technology over the past few years have helped caregivers and elderly people by giving them more choices when it comes to home health care. One device, called QuietCare, monitors elderly people so they can remain at home. The QuietCare system is made up of six motion sensors that can be placed in areas around the home including bathrooms and kitchens where accidents are most likely to occur. These sensors monitor when a person enters or leaves the room and records the amount of time they are in the room. If the person remains in the room for an unusual amount of time, emergency agencies are contacted.
For caregivers who live far away or those who want to give elderly loved ones their space, being able to monitor them throughout the day without being invasive has helped maintain healthy relationships and provide peace of mind for caregivers. QuietCare sends messages throughout the day via email to caregivers providing them with information about the elderly person’s vital signs, if they have taken their medication, and where they are inside the home.
Striking that balance between being a good caregiver and giving elderly people their space can be difficult, especially as the person ages and begins to rely on you more and more. For many elderly people, the thought of leaving their home, their friends, and giving up their independence is frightening. With QuietCare, elderly people who are able to care for themselves in terms of cooking, cleaning, and moving from room to room without the help of others are happier and feel more secure knowing that help is on the way if they do fall or become ill.
In addition to QuietCare, other devices are being developed to help caregivers monitor those who aren’t ready to live in a nursing home or assisted living facility.