Just because they are populated by elderly residents doesn’t mean that retirement villages need to look or operate in an archaic manner; they can be quite swanky and innovative places. One of our earlier blogs has already touched on 6 alternative ways to ensure quality aged care services in retirement villages. Here we shared ideas such as introducing voluntary pet therapy programs and inviting young entertainers to perform for residents – all to ensure quality of living for aged care residents.
For this blog, we thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the more recent and international innovations that could be introduced to improve the quality of living in your aged care facilities and retirement villages.
Robotic companions are no longer the ‘stuff’ of the future
Robot and Frank is an entertaining and futuristic movie about a retired (and bored) cat burglar, Frank, and a robot butler that is given to him both for company and to help him out with his daily activities. Initially, in his typical cranky way, Frank resists his new ‘bot’ companion, but then figures out that the robot is quite skilled at breaking and entering, of all things, so warms to him quickly.
While existing robots that are being used in aged care services in Japan cannot be enlisted for illegal activities – we hope! – they do help with getting senior citizens in retirement villages to exercise. According to a Smithsonian blog, Taizo the robot helps Japanese retirees with stretching and light exercises and can teach them up to 30 different exercise moves.
The aging marketplace values and craves connectivity
A World Health Organisation bulletin on innovations for healthy ageing describes an initiative in Hong Kong that is providing computer classes for elderly citizens to help them stay connected with their loved ones living abroad. And, in India, says the WHO, “the internet and mobile phones have vastly improved communication between older and younger people.” This aims to reduce loneliness in the elderly, which can quickly lead to depression.
Still on the subject of robotics, Panasonic has developed a robotic bed that can transform into a wheelchair
According to a Gizmag blog, Panasonic has brought out a nifty robotic bed that, with a few minor adjustments, splits in half to form an electric wheelchair. This means that only one caregiver is needed to assist a senior citizen in getting out of bed and into their chair. Scalevo has developed a wheelchair of their own that has been designed with retractable tracks to help the chair climb stairs, says another Gizmag blog. Combine this tech with Panasonic’s robotic bed and you could have your aged residents more active and mobile in no time.
Things that ‘go bump in the night’ could actually be an ailing senior citizen
In 2012, the University of Missouri was reported to be in the process of developing motion-sensing technology for the remote monitoring of elderly residents in aged care services, says a Medical Press blog. This tech was intended for residents who needed 24/7 monitoring but were not ready to move into old aged care. If comfortable with the concept, senior citizens in your care could be externally monitored using the same technology. One or two nurses, or caregivers, could then unobtrusively monitor these residents from an external venue, providing them with a greater sense of autonomy and more privacy.
Property maintenance services that are sensitive to the age and stage of elderly residents are also important. If you would like to chat more about maintenance painting solutions that are aged-care-friendly, do feel free to give us a call.
Image credit: Sandspun