How Technology Can help keep the Home Safe for those with Parkinson’s

Home should always be a place where people feel safe and comfortable. However, a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease can change what was once a sanctuary into something challenging or even risky. Parkinson’s disease can cause physical and cognitive challenges, such as: tremors, mobility impairment, gait instability, risk of falls, swallowing difficulties, cognitive impairment, sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, blood pressure changes and urinary tract infection.

Despite these challenges, it is still possible to continue living safely and comfortably at home with Parkinson’s disease. Our fall prevention guide is a fantastic resource assessing your home for falls risks. In this blog we will explore how technology can support aging in place with Parkinson’s.

Voice-Controlled and Smart home technology

Embrace smart-home technology to automate tasks and enhance safety. Voice-controlled assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant can help your older loved one control lights and thermostats and even lock doors with simple voice commands. Remote control also allows family members to check if the house is locked at night, the furnace is working and make sure lights are on or off as needed. Wearables for Fall detection

Wearable devices can automatically alert caregivers or emergency services in the event of a fall or emergency. Some of these devices have a button that a person can wear and press if they need help.

Non-Wearables – Much more than fall detection

For home safety, falls prevention devices have been the gold standard. But can we do better?

Wearable devices have a few downsides. The biggest two are that your loved one has to be wearing them and the batteries have to be charged. While these devices are amazing and can be life saving, these two variables add a lot of unreliability and risk.

This is where non-wearable tech comes in. Right at Home Canada recently became the first major provider in Canada to offer Sensi's Care Intelligence solution to our clients. This technology focuses more on the preventative (proactive) solutions while also having integrated reactive solutions like fall detection. All without needing to worry that your loved one is using it properly. It truly is a set it and forget it device.

Sensi uses a series of small devices (no bigger than an air freshener) to provide your Care Team with an added understanding of your loved one’s physical, emotional, and cognitive needs through an “always-on” 24/7 virtual care assessment technology.

Sensi does not replace human care. Instead, it elevates care to provide an added layer of security and 24/7 care insights.

Early Detection for Proactive Care: Whether it’s a physical issue such as a fall, a possible UTI, or cognitive health issues like memory impairment, Sensi intelligence can provide insights and alert your Right at Home Care Team to take necessary action. Sensi’s 360-degree assessment addresses health needs both proactively and responsively, giving us a wrap-around understanding of our clients health and care needs, even when our caregivers are not there.

RightCare+ is The Perfect Blend of Human and Technology: Blending exceptional in-person care with Sensi’s intelligent insights, not only can we care for our client’s direct care needs, but also provide a 24/7 Care Insight program that identifies over 100 types of crucial insights—including possible early signs of pneumonia, UTIs, care resistance, cognitive changes, emergency events such as falls and even positive caregiver matches— enabling proactive and meaningful care. These insights allow our Care Planners to continually have the best Care Plan and Caregivers for our client families.

Essential Reporting: With client consent - reports may be shared within circle of care, including GPs, Neurologists, SLPs, PTs, OTs, to get everyone on the same page, bridging care gaps and improve patient care experience.

You can read more about Sensi and RightCare+ here:
https://www.rightathomecanada.com/services/rightcareplus

Technology is transforming home care by offering powerful tools that enhance safety, promote independence, and support proactive health management. With smart home features, wearable and non-wearable devices like Sensi.AI, families and caregivers can feel more confident knowing all aspects of their loved ones safety and well-being is being supported. The blending of in-person care and modern technology truly is the future of exceptional home care.

Why Right at Home?

• Over 20 years of experience. Right at Home has been providing award winning customized senior care and home care for over 20 years.
• YOUR Caregivers are all part of YOUR Care Team. This means that there is no revolving door of Personal Support Workers and Nurses. With the help of your Care Planner, you choose and get to know them. This leads to an level of care for your loved one that is unsurpassed in our industry.
• Working with government support. Your Care Planner will work to help you find the government supports you are eligible for (if you would like them) and then work to find a solution for the care needs that go above what government and family can do. We will also work around the government care plan so that we are enhancing it.

We help in home, wherever home is to you.

Our Caregivers are always out in the community visiting homes, Retirement Residences, Long Term Care (LTC), hospices and hospitals.