Technology Making Life Easier?

As the years go on the advances in computer technology are beyond what anyone could have thought of twenty years ago.  Computers are taking over the business world and appearing in homes around the world more than ever before.  Computers are not only good to research a issue or find something to purchase, but they are becoming a helpful aid for many people who cannot fend for themselves.  Companies such as Intel, General Electric and ADT are focused on building a consumer market around the baby boom generation. Together, “they are developing a variety of computerized systems for seniors, and such technology is an answered prayer for many people. One such solution is the ADT Quietcare system, a home-monitoring system that employs motion and temperature detectors to record the daily activity of seniors living on their own. Twelve times a day, the Quietcare system updates the status of the monitored individual into a central monitoring site, where loved ones can check up on them via the Internet and respond if anything goes awry” (Buzzle).  With the rising cost of home health care and the limited options, technology is the new up and coming home health care system.  Health care is starting to rely more on computer technology now than ever because it is becoming more cost efficient and it is made easier. 

Students are also concerned with helping senior citizens.  Students at MIT, EDS, and Rhode Island School of Design created Pill Pet.  With the Pill Pet, a fuzzy palm-sized toy animal, if the senior "owner" takes his or her medications regularly and on time, the toy lives.  If not, the pet must be taken to a pharmacy for attention.  Many elderly people need to take several medications a day at different times of the day and it is hard to remember what pills to take at what time.  With the Pill Pet this is made easier for the human while the robot does all the thinking for them.  This would lead to less missed doses of medications and longer and better health.

(Pill Pet)

Willingness To Learn

As adults become older our knowledge of technology and all the functions possible are growing.  Older adults want to live on their own in their own house without assisted living.  With the advances in technology available, this is becoming more of a reality than a dream.  With advances in medical technology, such as Telemedicine and Telepharmacy, receiving medications to one’s home is simple.  Along with these technologies come many that help the caregiver and elder.

New advances make lives easier for elders and caregivers alike.  The CAST study done by AAPR, a nonprofit organization, says that adults 65-years and older would pay up to fifty dollars a month extra to “try technology like home security services, sensors to detect falls and devices to regulate temperature, lights and appliances. But cost remains a factor with seventy-five percent of caregivers and eighty percent of those 65-plus willing to pay $50.00 or less per month for the service” (AARP).  These advances consist of: “sensors can detect and notify a caregiver if a person being cared for does not get out of his chair or turn off the stove; Health technologies can monitor blood pressure, respiration and other conditions in real time while the person is at home, reducing the need for doctor's visits and notifying caregivers immediately of significant changes; Medication dispensers provide the appropriate medicines at the appropriate time and remind a person being cared for to take them; Computer games provide social networking, brain stimulation and even monitoring of cognitive abilities through the use of diagnostic games.”  With these major technological advances an older adult is able to live by themselves at home but still have the safety and security of a caretaker there with them at all times.  Technology has no limit and no boundaries and could take off in any direction.  Technology companies know what people want and need to survive on their own, it is just a matter of time until technology replaces humans.