The senior population is growing at an unprecedented level, with the number of people aged 80 and above projected to increase by 79% by 2030. Furthermore, by 2050, it is estimated that there will only be three potential caregivers for every senior in need of care. So, what does this mean for the senior care industry?
In a nutshell, there’s a world of opportunity for ensuring the safety and well-being of our aging population, with innovations and technological advancements taking center stage!
Whether you work in senior care or you are concerned about an elderly relative, the following blog will tell you everything you need to know about the future of the senior care sector and care home services.
Technological advancements
Technology is going to be more important than ever before when it comes to senior care, with innovations helping both care homes and home caregivers deal with the increase in demand.
Some of the most notable technological advancements in senior care include the following:
- Virtual reality experiences
- Robotic pets for memory care
- Tracking devices to monitor residents’ activity levels
- Monitoring devices such as wearables and motion detectors
- Smart pillbox dispensers
- Artificial intelligence to predict patterns in seniors’ behaviors and prevent falls
New care home strategies
To ensure that the aging community can get the most out of their later years and continue to live life to the full, senior care homes such as Signature Care Homes in Kingston will look to adopt new strategies to support and engage with their residents.
Some of the most notable strategies include:
- Specialized staff such as massage therapists, counselors, and physiotherapists
- Personalized staff such as gourmet chefs, nutritionists, and personal trainers
- A focus on overall well-being in the form of wellness programs
- On-site senior-friendly tech including laptops and smartphones that feature larger buttons
- Resident portals such as concierge services
Improved home care
As well as significant change in care homes, you can also expect to see a shift in the home care sector.
In particular, multi-generational housing is expected to become much more commonplace, with families choosing to all live under one roof rather than having to visit aging relatives to provide care.
Other changes in home care include:
- A rise in telehealth, where people can access their entire care team without having to leave their homes
- Voice assistants such as Amazon Echo and Google Home to help set reminders and manage daily schedules
- Personal emergency response service (PERS) tools to make people feel safer in their homes and provide them with immediate access to help if they need it
Final thoughts
The senior care industry needs to adapt to the increasing number of elderly people requiring care. It is also evident that this care needs to be driven by a combination of new technologies. And more bespoke ways of providing care.
Both professional nurses and caregivers work in care homes. And those providing home care to their loved ones need to embrace these changes. And help shape the future of senior care.
