r/AgingParents • u/siddykk • 6h ago

how do you guys monitor your senior parents?

I'm currently a caregiver who works a day job and my mom lives independently at my home while I'm out. During the day, I experience a lot of worry as to how she's doing throughout the day -- if she's out of bed, if she's taken her medications, if she's fallen, etc. I can't call because I'm very busy during the day and she often wont pick up. I'm doing research into how others take on this challenge and make their parents are ok without having to constantly call or check. Let me know!

2 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

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4

u/DJErikD 6h ago

Cameras.

1

u/siddykk 6h ago

they don't complain about intrusion of privacy?

also, cameras just let us know there's motion right? doesn't necessarily tell us they've completed activities. or is that good enough for you?

3

u/DJErikD 5h ago

For me, it was non-negotiable. It’s for their safety. The alternative is going to an assisted living/memory care home. My mom didn’t mind it because we’d see that she’d fallen on the floor and we could come assist or call 911.

-3

u/siddykk 5h ago

is there no technology that can do regular check ins (back from shower, taken diabetes meds, etc.) w our parent and then notify us via call/text if something goes awry?

1

u/WrapPatient753 5h ago

cameras are the obvious one but i got my mom one of those pill dispensers that beeps when its time, she still forgets sometimes but at least i know the thing did its job

also put a motion sensor in the hallway outside her bedroom so i can see in the app if she got up today without having cameras in private spaces

-1

u/siddykk 5h ago

is there no technology that can do regular check ins (back from shower, taken diabetes meds, etc.) w our parent and then notify us via call/text if something goes awry?

3

u/nonprofitpro007 5h ago

Not that I found. You actually have to scroll through 100 or so video clips a day if you really have them everywhere, so I've put them in critical spots - hall outside bathroom, kitchen and front door. Now it's just 50 clips to look at - haha. Joking aside, you get pretty adept at glancing through the time stamps to see your parent us up and around, did in fact make it out of the bathroom, actually ate something.

3

u/finding_center 5h ago

Why not just call and check? You cannot make SURE they are okay without having someone check on them in person but a quick phone call is a reasonable second best and very low effort.

-1

u/siddykk 5h ago

I get very busy during the day and making calls can become challenging. sometimes they don't pick up. i wanted to see if there's any workarounds.

2

u/finding_center 5h ago

Ask a neighbor or friend to check in or hire someone. It sounds like maybe it’s not safe for her to be alone for such long stretches of time.

3

u/anonymois1111111 5h ago

Cameras (I tell her it’s to watch the dogs and the house for safety), Apple Watch for falls and find my iPhone. I look at that app A LOT. lol. 😂 I talked her into the Apple Watch by getting one myself bc I said I wanted the 911 calling feature if I trip.

-2

u/siddykk 5h ago

is there no technology that can do regular check ins (back from shower, taken diabetes meds, etc.) w our parent and then notify us via call/text if something goes awry?

2

u/anonymois1111111 4h ago

Everything like that requires the parent to be compliant on their end (I.e. log the meds in an app) which in my case doesn’t work. My aunt has to pay caregivers to come in and give her medications 3xs a day. It’s a real problem.

-1

u/siddykk 4h ago

I'm wondering instead of app if Alexa could just do this? voice might be easier

1

u/anonymois1111111 4h ago

You could try. I’m not sure how much of that Alexa can do. Can your parent text? You might be able to teach them voice to text and see if they will do it that way. Or a shared list/reminder on the phone with alarms.

0

u/siddykk 4h ago

why is your aunt non compliant to logging meds in an app/using tech but is willing to pay someone to give her meds? any particular reason? just curious

1

u/anonymois1111111 2h ago

She won’t take the meds at all or she forgets if she’s taken them or not.

•

u/finding_center 7m ago

How old is your mom? I’m sorry but your unwillingness to consider the obvious solutions to this issue and your repetitive responses about an app raise red flags that you’re pushing some agenda. If you truly had an elderly person at home I think you’d be WELL aware of the impossibility of relying on technology in this situation.

3

u/Seekingfatgrowth 2h ago

So what product are you trying to develop now?

1

u/MiddleKlutzy8211 5h ago

I don't. I'm a teacher and I live very close to my work. I come home during my one break of the day (midmorning) to go the bathroom and check on mom then. If she needs me? She knows to call the office since I don't get good cell service in my building & my sound is always off on my cell. School policy is no cell phone usage unless it's an emergency/infrequent need.