Elder Law

Sensor Monitors Help Seniors Live Independently & Safely

By Levin & Perconti

As many seniors reach a certain age their risk of suffering an injury while alone slowly increases. This presents a particularly potent danger because it is in those circumstances when they are out of the reach of the immediate assistance. That is exactly why many seniors end up in nursing homes--so that they can be assured of having close, consistent contact with caregivers. However, as we have often documented on this blog, far too often many nursing homes fail in even this basic regard, providing inadequate oversight of residents leading to their injury and death.

There is never any excuse for a nursing facility's failure in that regard. That is true now more than ever as advances in technology have allowed for even more methods of monitoring the activity of vulnerable seniors. These monitoring systems provide warnings any time that help may be needed. CNN News recently published an article that discusses new technology that is being used to help care for elderly Americans. Sensors monitors are now used to track the daily activity of many nursing home residents and senior Americans who live on their own.

The monitors are growing in popularity. They currently allow tracking of wide variety of information, from when seniors take medications to when they use the restroom or enter the kitchen. The information is relayed to friends, family, medical professionals, or any others who the senior may want to be involved in helping provide care. Different sensors are placed throughout a senior?s living space, allowing for real-time safety checks at all times.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on November 20, 2010 (boomark / email).