Stay Connected To Mom When You're Away

By Dave Neumaier

Mom and Dad were always there for you and now it is your turn to take care of them. Don't wait for Mom or Dad to fall, become ill, or lose a spouse. Aging better can begin today.

First, prepare the right mix of the human element. A professional assessment ensures that your Mom's unique needs can be met, which include geriatric doctors, retirement and long term care financial planners, estate and elder law attorneys, transition specialists, and the like. Care giving starts with family where unconditional love is abundant. A network of friends echo that support. Community involvement can provide fun, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. Meanwhile, caregivers augment needed companionship, assistance with activities of daily living, or even 24 hour nursing.

Secondly, your parent's physical living environment needs to be in order. An accessible, functional, fall and fire safe space that is secure, healthy and happy is vital. Universal and sustainable design modifications help seniors stay in their existing home. If your parents move in with you, then there are three options to consider; reorganize or modify an existing space, add on an in-law suite, or even design a stand-alone cottage. Architects, designers, and remodelers offer a myriad of solutions. Or if it is more appropriate, you can find a care community that best meets both your and your parent's needs.

Third, Mom and Dad's digital environment can ensure a healthy measure of independence. This is achieved through greater connectedness, communication, activity and wellness tracking. The power of knowing allows you to better adjust your Mom's physical and social environment to ever evolving needs.

Without using cameras you can know when your Mom's dresser, medicine cabinet, or refrigerator was opened. You can also know how many times Dad got up in the middle of the night, and if he was wandering. An email or call automatically can be sent to you if Mom does not get out of bed by a certain time, if her blood pressure is elevated, if glucose levels drop, or if her weight or activity levels have slipped below set benchmarks. Graphs display trends so that proactive steps can be taken. Passive fall tracking via a waterproof watch and touch screens simplify safety and wellbeing.

In this day and age, Mom and Dad's custom digital environment can be your compass to guide you as you navigate “aging better and longer” as one connected family.