Technologies for home care and assistance
Nothing can replace the human touch required to provide quality assistance and care to seniors. However, at Amika, we firmly believe that technology—combined with the human touch of our Caregivers—can greatly enhance the experience and complement the provision of assistance and care. Technology can also enable seniors to remain in their homes longer, and in complete safety.
Technologies and their benefits for the client and caregivers
In recent years, the adoption of new technologies has increased significantly in the home care and assistance industry, commonly known as gerontechnology. Here are some applications:
Remote monitoring via connected objects
It is now possible to remotely monitor changes in the health of an elderly person at home thanks to a combination of connected objects and mobile applications.
For example, the company Howz has developed a non-intrusive and innovative technology using a combination of information from the senior's caregiver network, smart sensors placed inside their home and connected objects. These monitor any developments and changes related to the use of electricity, lights and heating inside a home, as well as the movements of the occupant(s). An alert is sent to the family when they detect changes in behavior or anomalies (for example, it has been 24 hours since the refrigerator was opened or the room temperature has been abnormally high for 2 nights, etc.). It is therefore possible for a senior to keep their family informed if ever a problem arises and they need help.
Support for caregivers
Thanks to a multitude of mobile applications, caregivers can now receive all the support they need to fulfill their role:
- Inform: an application like “ Alzheimer Infos ” provides free access to the latest information on developments and advances in care and research.
- Support: It is also possible to use mobile applications to support the caregiver in their tasks and coordinate their activities effectively. For example, Stibox is a tool that stimulates emotions through the past experiences of people with neurocognitive disorders. Personalized brain games and daily journeys in images help maintain the person's autonomy. This tool also aims to share the elderly person's memories with all caregivers and professionals.
Personalization of assistance and care through artificial intelligence
In recent years, there has been much talk about artificial intelligence and the revolution it could bring to many industries. Montreal is a world leader in artificial intelligence research.
In home care and assistance, service providers can use artificial intelligence and machine learning to personalize their service:
- By developing a highly personalized care plan based on the personality and needs of the senior
- By matching the client with a caregiver who will be most likely to develop a strong, friendly and trusting relationship
- By more effectively planning the frequency, duration and time of required home visits
To effectively use artificial intelligence, providers need access to a wide range of information about a customer's health profile, environment, personality, and interests. By combining this information, algorithms can propose an optimal care plan and continually improve and refine it by analyzing customer feedback.
Reminder to take medication
Easy-to-use mobile apps allow seniors and their loved ones to better manage their medication intake. For example, the free app MediSafe is a tool for those who need to take one or more medications: it allows you to manage medication intake and also offers a practical reminder function to avoid missing a dose. You can also authorize family members or friends to receive an alert when a dose has not been taken.
Emergency alert system
Wearables and smart sensors installed inside a home can detect falls and other types of physical trauma in a senior. When such an event occurs, a call for help is automatically sent to 911 and loved ones are notified.
Amika's technology
Amika hopes to draw inspiration from these new technologies to reinvent the home care and assistance industry in Quebec. Our web and mobile application was created with the goal of simplifying the lives of caregivers, personalizing our clients' care and assistance plans, and helping Amika Caregivers carry out their work effectively. Key features include:
- The ability for caregivers and clients to manage their visit schedule online
- Real-time information on visits (arrival and departure of the Carer, visit report)
- A buddy system between our clients and Amika Caregivers based on the clients' needs, preferences, personalities and interests
Amika aims to position itself as an innovator in the home care and assistance industry. Many more features will be added over the coming years. However, rest assured that technology can never replace human touch, love and compassion of our Amika Caregivers .
Further information on our approach and services is available here:
https://www.soinsamika.com/services or by contacting us at 514-543-4450.
You can also visit our frequently asked questions section:
https://www.soinsamika.com/about