Advanced Technology Helps Meet the Challenges of Aging in Sarasota, Florida
The next frontier in senior homecare is the use of behavioral telemonitoring that is mindful of unique behaviors and needs of individuals requiring in-home care. This mindfulness in technology, also referred to as a “Smart” System, allows for a previously unattainable level of individual care. The Sarasota Right at Home office is leading the use of the most advanced system in telecare today, using strategically placed motion sensors that operate without the care recipient having to do anything.
Using sophisticated algorithms, GE’s Quiet Care system, available to seniors at home in Sarasota, Charlotte and Manatee counties exclusively through Right at Home, analyzes the raw motion data and automatically develops a baseline of each individual’s normal daily routines. It then identifies and reports noteworthy changes in these patterns, changes that can indicate the emergence of health issues or the need for additional levels of care. The system determines and shows how often clients are reaching for medications, drops in appetite, frequency of bathroom visits and refrigerator visits. The system has been successful in recognizing the early signs of medication non-compliance and side effects, inadequate nutrition, depression, urinary tract infections (UTIs), stability and wandering issues.
Right at Home installed Quiet Care in the home of Beth Heffernan’s father who lives alone. According to Beth, the ability to have another level of data that is purely objective has helped her in managing her father’s care and has been a source of insight for other family members. “The security in knowing whether dad was taking a nap, what he was doing after 10 PM after the caregiver left, whether people were coming and going and whether he was wandering has been invaluable. A week’s worth of data changed the way my siblings viewed the care my father needed. It turns out he was very busy at night, had frequent bathroom visits and was letting strangers in the house. Being able to rely on accurate, objective data is so helpful, I only wish my mother had this to help her communicate his needs before she passed.”
Right at Home will meet with families for a free, in-home assessment to see if the technology is an option for their loved one. Call 941-929-1966 and ask to speak to Michael Juceam, Owner.