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    Caregiver Resources

    Aging in Community Products and Technology

    Types of devices, modifications, and adaptations that can make aging in the home and community much safer.

    What products and equipment make caregiving easier and keep the person receiving care safer?

    Before purchasing any product or device, it is important to have a conversation with the person you are caring for to make sure that they are comfortable and willing to try the products. In many cases, people living with dementia may not like wearable devices or have difficulty adjusting to new devices. Explore some options below:

    Home Safety & Accessibility

    • Smart Home Systems: Voice-activated control like Alexa or Google Home for lights, temperature, locks, and security. Explore The New York Times Wirecutter for a list of smart home devices that can support aging in place.
    • Fall Detection Sensors: Smart watches and other wearable devices that detect falls and automatically send emergency alerts.
    • Medical Alert Systems: Wearable pendants or wristbands with emergency call buttons.
    • Grab Bars & Handrails: Hardware safely installed by a qualified individual in bathrooms, hallways, and stairs for stability.
    • Non-Slip Flooring & Rugs: Reduce fall risk with non-slip mats, carpeting, and anti-slip coatings.
    • Motion Sensor Lights: Automatic lighting for nighttime safety, especially in hallways and bathrooms.
    • Smart Door Locks & Video Doorbells: Products that send notifications about motion-detected activity.
    • Shower Chairs: Reduce fall risks in the bathroom.

    Mobility & Transportation Aids

    • Stair Lifts & Chair Lifts: Motorized seating for safe and easy access to upper floors.
    • Height-Adjustable Beds & Recliners: Easier transfer in and out of bed.
    • Wheelchairs & Mobility Scooters: Electric or manual models for increased mobility.
    • GPS Smart Shoes or Trackers: Devices that are inserted into shoes for tracking those with entry and exit seeking behaviors.

    Medication & Health Monitoring

    • Automatic Pill Dispensers: Devices for timed dispense of medication to prevent missed doses.
    • Remote Health Monitoring: Wearable devices that track vitals like blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels.

    Cognitive & Communication Aids

    • Digital Reminder Clocks: Large, easy-to-read displays that show time, date, and scheduled reminders.
    • Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP): LAMP offers a variety of accessible media types for reading disabled Pennsylvania residents, including print, audio and digital.
    • Voice Assistants for Cognitive Support: Reminders, schedules, and entertainment via Alexa or Google Assistant.

    Caregiver Support & Assistance

    • Remote Monitoring Cameras: Home cameras to check on the person you are caring for remotely.
    • AI Companion Robots: Devices for social interaction and reminders.

    Programs & Resources

    • TechOWL (Our Whole Lives): Provides resources and support to access assistive technology.

    Helpful Apps and Websites

    Explore these mobile device apps and websites to help manage different care and planning tasks. Note: Identifying these applications does not imply endorsement.

    • Lotsa Helping Hands helps you create a shared calendar to coordinate caregiving duties.
    • Kit + Kin helps you securely create, store, organize, and share health information.
    • CaringBridge is a resource to communicate to your community, capture your thoughts, and coordinate help on your terms.
    • Caring Village helps you store important documents, track medications and prescriptions, and communicate with your support network from a single dashboard.
    • Medisafe helps you get medication and refill reminders, drug interaction warnings and in-depth information on the health conditions of the person you are caring for.
    • UCLA Mindful offers guided meditations and instructional videos on meditation and the science behind mindfulness.
    • MyCaringPlan helps families coordinate and track the care of older or ill loved ones, including calendars, medication schedules, and task assignments.
    • GrandPad is a tablet for older adults that offers video calls, photo sharing, and email, designed to make it easier for families to stay connected.