During the Q & A period of this virtual presentation, an attendee asked about additional services – specifically around transportation and technology – that are available to residents when they live in assisted living or memory care, or at home.
As our colleague Nicole shares there’s typically some level of transportation available a long-term care setting; it depends on whether the resident needs to be accompanied and where they’re going. Some transportation is the responsibility of the family to manage, or they can hire somebody to do that. This is a great question to ask if that's a need and you're touring communities.
If you need to know about transportation resources for people still living at home, it depends on the community in which you live. This is a great question for your Area Agency on Aging or local senior center. Talk to the social worker at your senior center because they would be in your area and familiar with the available resources. You can also start your research here, through the U.S. Administration on Aging’s Eldercare Locator.
We have volunteer transportation services for some neighborhoods in our area that people can rely on, but it's usually for individuals who are somewhat independent. A good place to start is with Community Living Connections for Seattle and King County. You can call them toll free at 1-844-348-5464.
Regarding technology: more and more is out on the market these days with the mission of supporting people aging in place at home. As Nicole emphasized, don't let technology replace care. Technology can be an important for someone who's living at home, semi-alone, and has any potential for falls.
An emergency response pendant with automatic fall detection is one example. Some families use Alexa devices to remind their parent to take medications. There are lots of options available, the key is to not replace care with technology, but to use technology to support and enhance care and connection.
One of our favorite resources for technology to support us as we age is Laurie Orlov’s Aging and Health Technology Watch website. Laurie is a tech industry veteran, writer, speaker and elder care advocate, is the website’s founder.
Interested in learning more about technology and transportation options and coordination? We can help! Click here to schedule a free, get-acquainted call today.
Additional Reading and Resources
· Long-distance grandparenting: Toddlers and kids (Aging Wisdom blog article)
· Pros and Cons of Aging in Place (Aging Wisdom blog article)
· Smartwatches as medical alerts (Aging Wisdom blog article)
· Planning to “retire” from driving (Aging Wisdom blog article)
This podcast is part of a longer conversation between Nicole Amico Kane, Director of Care Management at Aging Wisdom, and Brenda Dodd, Director of Training and Special
