Experts involved in two recent studies say that home health care technologies, such as electronic pill dispensers and systems that monitor patients' vital signs, offer benefits that outweigh their costs, MarketWatch reports.
Majd Alwan -- co-author of a Center for Aging Services Technologies' study, titled "State of Technology in Aging Services" -- said the cost of technology that allows seniors to remain independent might be a "couple hundred dollars" per month, while the cost of a nursing home could be $6,000 per month.
Linda Barnett -- author of an AARP study, titled "Healthy @ Home" -- said that once caregivers and seniors learn about the new technology, such as telemedicine, they become willing to try it. She added, "These technologies can help older adults stay independent longer, and [they] can give caregivers a greater sense of freedom."
Home Health Technology
MarketWatch highlights three categories of home health technology.
- Safety: Safety technologies, which are designed to detect or prevent falls, include user-activated push buttons or sensors that detect walking patterns, floor vibrations or motion. Safety technologies typically are not reimbursable through health plans.
- Health and Wellness: Health and wellness technologies include home telemedicine systems that can monitor glucose and blood pressure and transmit those data to providers.
- Social Connectedness: The devices can help seniors connect socially. However, there are some acceptance and usability issues, and cost can be a factor as well (Powell, MarketWatch, 3/17)
