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What tech or devices actually work for you? Looking for advice.
Hi everyone, I'm a caregiver for my mom. Like most of you, I'm always trying to find new ways or tools to make things a little easier for her, and honestly, to help me keep it all together as well.
I wanted to start this discussion so we can share what really works. I know when I was new to this, I felt pretty lost, and I'd love for us to help each other out so others don't have to struggle as much.
I've had some hits and misses. For example, I had a bad experience with fall detection watches. I bought a couple of different ones, but they didn't work as intended. Either too many false alarms or my mom just wouldn't keep them on. I wish I had known it earlier, so I wouldn't have wasted the money.
On the other hand, what worked for me in multiple ways is the Jubilee TV box, which let me control the TV from my phone and check in on her every time I left her home alone. I can set her reminders and send her pictures and videos, so she doesn't feel lonely, and it also alerts me when she is too long out of the room. It made the TV easier for her to manage, since it is designed for people with memory problems, so she is happier and more entertained.
Do you have some examples of such a device that helped you in many ways, and also something that just doesn't work and isn't worth buying?
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Great idea... thank you!
I love the "Find My" function on iPhone. My DH and I share our location with each other and it works (as long as I remind him to take his phone with him when he leaves the house). We have also shared our locations with our grown children, so if they are unable to reach us they can find our location.
That said, I have found that AirTags are mostly unreliable for finding items that are not at my house. For example, I tried putting one in each of our vehicles, but could only see the last place where the AirTag was pinged... which was usually in my garage. So, my DH's truck looked like it was in the garage, when he was out in it somewhere.
However, the AirTags are helpful for locating our keys when they are lost within the house. I put one on each of our keychains and when the keys have been misplaced, I can have the AirTag play a sound to help me locate them.
My Subaru has its own tracking system, which I love. If for some reason DH is driving my Subaru, I can locate it (and even disable it if necessary).
When the time comes that I need hands-on help from our loved ones, I plan to use an app or website that allows me to create a calendar and/or list of needs. Then, friends and loved ones can select days when they can help, or tasks that they can complete. Examples of such sites are: Give in Kind, Caring Bridge, and Lotsa Helping Hands. There are a variety of formats, and most have a free account option.
If anyone on here has used a similar app/website, I would love to hear about your experience before I choose one.
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3 ReactionsI ordered these items from Amazon and they’re really helpful with my husband-
- “calendar clock for seniors”- has big white lettering on dark background, easy to read, has date, time, and general time of day (morning, afternoon, evening)
- “picture phone for seniors”- landline phone, you program it with people’s phone numbers and match the numbers to a photo or the person’s name, placed in a small plastic sleeve, you press the photo or written name and it automatically dials. We used photos as it was easier for him to see and pick.
- “toilet night light motion sensor” I learned about these here! When the person approaches the bathroom door, the sensor lights up automatically, so you can see without having to first get the light switch.
- “RMS Toilet Safety Frame and Rail”- for added safety on/off the toilet. there are lots of options, but I used to work in Home Care and this is the best and the most versatile- it has sloping down arms so the person doesn’t need to be exactly in front of it to use, it has a flat foot piece which keeps the rails from wiggling, it doesn’t attach to the toilet so it’s a breeze to put on, and it’s foldable and portable so you can take it with you easily when visiting family or friends.
- I also bought a very simple TV remote, programmed it with his most-watched stations, put a bit of orange duct tape on the power button, blue painter’s tape on the channel change, with Sharpie fine point arrows for up and down
I never heard of the TV box- what a great idea! My hubby had to go into assistive living, but all the above things went with him and he uses, except for the phone, he declined to where he couldn’t do the steps to use, and the toilet motion sensors- he has a private bath and they leave the overhead light on.
BUT, I use the sensors at home and they’re a big help for my safety,
So glad we have Mayo Connect to share ideas and encouragement.
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1 ReactionAnd I love the motion detector lights that my husband put low on the walls so I can easily see where I’m going. He also put them on the walls by the stairs. They run on batteries so work even when we lose electricity!
One light shines bed to bathroom and bathroom to bed. I still carry my flashlight, though. Extra safety for me!