10 Best Elderly Monitoring Systems for Peace of Mind

Elderly monitoring systems are a key part of in-home elderly care. Why?

The risk of falls, safety, and other adverse health events increases as people age. One in four of the over 50 million people 65 years or older in the U.S. who live alone fall annually.

This often causes family members and caregivers to worry about the health and safety of the older adults under their care.

Elderly care systems provide a cost-effective solution to in-person elderly care. They allow monitoring of health and movements to support long-distance caregiving. 

This gives peace of mind to both seniors and their caregivers. And for people feeling trapped caring for elderly parents they can provide some much-needed relief.

With more innovations, there are now a wide variety of elderly monitoring systems available based on individual needs.

So, in this guide, we explore 10 of the best elderly monitoring systems to give caregivers peace when they can't be with their loved on in person.

What are Elderly Monitoring Systems?

Elderly monitoring systems are technologies and devices designed to enhance seniors' safety and independence. These senior monitoring systems vary in terms of purpose and technological complexity.

They use sensors, devices, and communication tools to track and monitor the health, movement, and well-being of elderly individuals.

These home monitoring systems are available in two main categories:

• Active: Those that require a user to press a help button to get support or call for help.
• Passive: Those that transmit data from the user without requiring them to do anything if they fall or become unresponsive.

Some senior monitoring systems can be controlled remotely to support remote assistance of older adults and reassure seniors and their families of health and safety.

Home monitoring systems work passively in the background and require little to no effort from older adults.

10 Best Elderly Monitoring Systems

The best elderly monitoring system depends on the individual's condition and the caregiver's goals.

Select from these ten systems the one that best fits your loved one's elderly care needs to give you peace of mind.

1. Remote Caregiving Systems

What do you do when you must both care for your elderly loved one and work or attend to other responsibilities?

That's where a remote caregiving system like JubileeTV comes in!

Jubilee TV offers a comprehensive solution to keep a watchful eye on elderly loved ones from afar.

The JubileeTV remote monitoring system has features like:

• Automatically start video calls on the TV
• See what's playing on the TV and control it remotely
• Activity Feed to monitor TV routines
• Schedule management, such as scheduling medication reminders, medical appointments, household chores, or other activities
• Easy daily check-ins
• Share short videos and photos 

It turns your loved one's television into an interactive remote caregiving system/platform, making caring for loved ones easier, even from a distance.

JubileeTV stands out for its user-friendly interface, customizable alerts, and reliable customer support. It also has a caregiver mobile app called JubileeTV App available for iOS and Android.

2. Wearable Devices

How can a caregiver remotely track their senior loved one's health and motion and ensure their health, safety, and well-being while still doing other chores and engagements?

The answer is wearable devices.

Examples of wearable devices are:

• Smartwatches
• Pendant alarms
• GPS tracking
• Fall detection
• Motion sensors

Elderly wearable devices are designed to be worn by seniors to track various health metrics (such as heart rate and blood pressure), motion, and location.

These devices also feature fall detection capabilities and GPS tracking, allowing caregivers to locate seniors and provide emergency assistance when needed.

3. Home Monitoring Systems

In-home monitoring systems utilize sensors and cameras to monitor and track seniors' activities to ensure their safety in their homes or on the go.

These senior monitoring devices are placed in a room or home. They can detect unusual patterns or emergencies, such as falls or accidents, and alert caregivers or emergency services.

The software captures data it receives from the home, whether from a button the user pushes or motion or inactivity detected by sensors. If the data shows any activity or inactivity that can risk the seniors' health, the system raises the alarm.

Elderly home monitoring systems can fit into one of three categories:

• Health and wellness devices - monitor health data, such as steps, heart rate, and sleep
• Personal emergency response systems (PERS) - such as medical alert systems or dementia-related monitoring devices, use cameras, motion detectors, and emergency buttons (help buttons).
• Home security devices - to provide safety and home security while ensuring loved one's well-being.

These in-home systems assure the safety and well-being of older people and reduce the care burden on healthcare providers and family caregivers.

4. Health Monitoring Devices

If the elderly person needs health monitoring, the caregiver should directly get a health monitoring device.

Health monitoring devices are electronic devices designed to track and monitor daily activities and various aspects of an individual's health and well-being. These devices can track a wide range of health parameters, including:

• Activity levels: Accelerometers and gyroscopes track physical activity, such as steps taken, distance traveled, and calories burned.
• Heart Rate: Sensors or electrodes can measure heart rate in real time, providing insights into cardiovascular health and exercise intensity.
• Blood Pressure: Measure systolic and diastolic blood pressure to help manage cardiovascular health and hypertension.
• Blood Glucose Levels: Often used by individuals to help them manage their blood sugar levels.
• Temperature: measures body temperature to detect fever or monitor temperature changes.

These devices collect data through sensors and other technologies. The data is analyzed and displayed to the user, caregiver, or healthcare provider through a companion mobile app or interface.

5. GPS Tracking Systems

Some seniors' health conditions, such as dementia, cognitive impairment, or Alzheimer's disease, can make them wander or become disoriented.

So, how do family members and caregivers trace and locate their elderly parents or loved ones for their safety?

GPS tracking systems for seniors allow caregivers to locate seniors quickly and ensure their safe return home when caring for those with dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

A GPS tracker is an electronic device that provides real-time location tracking via satellite data. The device can monitor a senior's location in real time and give family, caregivers, or emergency responders quick access to the user's live location.

6. Smart Sensors

Smart sensors use the internet and wi-fi to monitor homes, rooms, and the elderly and relay information to caregivers, emergency responders,or family members.

Smart sensors like fall detection and home monitoring pressure sensors can tell whether someone is sitting or lying on top of them. They are used under bed sheets or cushions where your elderly sit. You'll know when the senior is there or when they aren't, and you'll be alarmed if they stay away for so long.

Some smart sensors are also automated motion sensors, home systems, and safety devices. They prevent collisions with walls and other surfaces to prevent accidents and keep seniors safe.

7. Environmental Monitoring Systems

Some smart sensor devices also act as environmental monitoring systems in the elderly's homes.

They can be placed throughout a senior's home to monitor and detect various environmental factors, such as smoke, carbon monoxide, flooding, temperature, humidity, and air quality.

Any environmental hazard triggers an alarm from these devices, and the caregiver or emergency responder is also alerted.

These systems can help identify potential hazards or health risks and potential dangers, allowing caregivers to take proactive measures to mitigate them and safeguard the elderly.

8. Fall Detection Devices

To keep your elderly parent or loved one safe from fall injuries, you can get a fall detection device. They can have motion sensors, be free or have a help button.

Fall detection devices are equipped with motion sensors that detect when a senior has fallen and automatically alert caregivers or emergency services.

There are two types of fall-detection devices:

• Wearable sensor devices: Embedded in a watch, pendant, belt or clip-on device to use motion sensors to detect falls.
• Ambient sensor devices: Video cameras placed strategically in a person's home to track their movement and can detect a fall.

9. Activity Monitoring Solutions

Activity monitoring solutions track and record seniors' daily physical movements, activities, and routines, providing insights into their overall health and well-being.

They give caregivers insights into the elderly's daily physical activity patterns, exercise habits, and overall movement.

This way, caregivers can set fitness goals, monitor progress, and make informed decisions to improve the elderly's health and well-being.

Some of the daily activity parameters that activity monitoring solutions often measure include:

• Number of steps taken
• Distance traveled
• Calories burned
• Active minutes
• Activity intensity

These systems can detect changes in activity levels or behavior patterns, alerting caregivers to potential concerns.

10. Medication Management Systems

Medication management needs alertness and prompt action, whether for a short-term medical need or a prolonged and complex condition. Why?

One factor increasing the risk of health problems in the elderly is medication mismanagement, such as hoarding multiple medications prescribed for different conditions.

Top features of medication management system include:

• Medical alert device
• Provide medication reminders, e.g. pill reminders
• Dispense medications automatically
• Schedule medication times and doctor appointments
• Track adherence to medication regimens and send alerts to caregivers when medications are missed
• Alert caregivers when medications are running low
• Track refills and expiration dates

These medication management systems help caregivers and seniors maintain medication regimens, prevent seniors from hoarding medications, and keep seniors safe.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Senior Monitoring Device

When selecting a senior monitoring device, there are several factors to consider to ensure it meets the specific needs of your elderly loved one:

Ease of Use

Look for devices that are intuitive and easy for seniors to operate independently. Technology may have a learning curve, but if it is too demanding, it may cause more problems than solutions.

Compatibility with Existing Technology

Ensure that the monitoring device integrates seamlessly with other technologies already in use by the senior.

If it is a caregiver app, consider whether you can download it from the AppStore or Google Store and combine it with other senior care devices like wearable devices.

Monitoring Range and Coverage

Consider the range and coverage area of the device to ensure adequate monitoring, both indoors and outdoors.

Battery Life and Charging Options

Consider how often the system needs to be charged and whether there's a backup battery for in-home base stations. Opt for devices with long battery life and convenient charging options.

Customer Support and Reliability

Choose a monitoring system from a reputable provider with reliable customer service to promptly address any issues or concerns.

Conclusion

An elderly monitoring system is a good investment for families with aging parents and loved ones. Senior monitoring systems learn about the senior's routine and alert caregivers when anything is wrong, with an option to monitor them remotely, such as the JubileeTV remote caregiving system.

The best elderly monitoring system depends on the individual's condition and the caregiver's goals. But these systems must show ease of use, compatibility with other systems, and good monitoring range coverage with good battery life. They also need customer support functionality to provide reliability and prevent downtime. Elderly monitoring systems help to ensure the safety, independence, and well-being of your elderly loved ones and the caregiver's peace of mind.