Aug 28, 2020
The Connected Caregiver – Part 2

This is such a challenging time for all of us. Most of us can continue to stay connected in many different ways – but not everyone is able to. Our usual routines have changed, which can be frustrating, lonely, and annoying. We might rather be somewhere else, doing something else, with friends, colleagues, whomever. But at least for most of us, we understand why we can’t. Imagine how strange it must be for those with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other conditions where varying levels of memory loss is present. Activity and routines are often a critical part of their care. I can only imagine how difficult adjusting to a new schedule must be for the care recipient and caregiver during these times — it may even cause changes in a loved one’s behavior. While we may connect via Zoom or cell phone, not everyone has the ability to do this. So social isolation, already an issue, is worse than ever for loved ones who were already at a high risk for loneliness. I came across a statistic that really put the issue of social isolation into perspective: in a 2015 meta-analysis[1] researchers uncovered the following: living with air pollution increases your odds of dying early by 5 percent; living with obesity, 20 percent; excessive drinking, 30 percent. But living with loneliness increases our odds of dying early by 45 percent.

Help reduce social isolation by keeping family caregivers connected to loved ones living independently, in their home of choice, assisted living and residential care

Here at Theora Care, we have been keeping families connected and reducing social isolation with our easy to use caregiving communications solutions. Some of our families have loved ones who have moved from their homes to assisted living, taking their wearable with them so that the families remain connected. Given the extraordinary circumstances we find ourselves in today, we have been receiving more calls from families with loved ones in assisted living or residential care. With many facilities still on lockdown, being able to talk with a family member anytime isn’t always possible. Caregivers are busy, and as mentioned previously not everyone is able to use a cell phone or tablet without assistance. What if there was a solution that didn’t require onsite assistance, and family caregivers could connect through auto-answering audio on a loved one’s wristwatch? Not only are you reducing your loved one’s isolation with your familiar voice, you can call and catch up anytime, providing more needed peace of mind for families, too. This is what we provide with Theora Care’s Theora Connect solution.

Make technology easy, useful and usable for busy caregivers and their loved ones

Even for experienced users, communication technology presents challenges. After many years of denial, I finally purchased a new cell phone. Sure, it’s faster, more responsive, but it is not without fault. It tends to mute when I put it next to my ear, so I’m talking and the person on the other end suddenly says, “Are you still there? I can’t hear you!” It’s very sensitive to motion, changing screens seemingly at will sometimes, and it goes into SOS mode every time I take a walk (I’m assuming a technology glitch and not a commentary on my physical condition). It’s also pre-loaded with apps I don’t need or want. At Theora Care, many of us are caregivers and we have worked with caregivers to develop purpose-built technology that works for older adults, simplifying the user interface and applications. We have retained the most appropriate features – activity monitoring, communications on the wearable and a smartphone app that makes it easy for families to stay connected. Monitor activity and location, including changes from normal routines that provide an opportunity for proactive care and intervention. Communicate via the wearable’s phone or simply use the auto-answering audio to chat with your loved one. Useful, needed features that will last throughout their caregiving journey.

Wandering is an issue, but I want to keep my loved one as active and independent as possible, too.

The Alzheimer’s Association states that 60% of persons with dementia will wander during the course of the disease (article here). We have learned that wandering can occur anytime, and without any obvious preceding behaviors. But staying active is often an important part of a care plan – and now all regular activities are cancelled, so how do we keep our loved ones active? We can use Safe Zones to let them be active but monitored. Setting up Safe Zones means that caregivers are alerted via a simple to use smartphone app when a loved one enters/exits a safe area. Staying connected means knowing where a loved one is, while supporting their independence, but also be able to check-in to find out if they need assistance.

Ending on a happy note – Elba is doing just fine!

You may have read about Elba before; she is the matriarch of one of our customer families. Elba has early-onset Alzheimer’s and lives independently in the home she has lived in for 50 years. She has always been very busy with a full schedule every day and in a spare moment will “bolt” down the street towards a busy intersection to get to her usual grocery store. She has been safely outside tending to her several gardens full of gorgeous flowers, tomatoes, fruit trees, and more. Her family is even more thankful for our products that help keep her active and happy. If you haven’t seen Elba’s Story, please do something nice for yourself now by taking a well-deserved 2.5 minute break and click here. These busy caregiving families are so willing to share their stories if it will help others. Thank you, Elba and family, for sharing.

Take care, and please call us if we can help.

[1] A meta-analysis on studies of loneliness: J. Holt-Lunstad, M. Baker, T. Harris, D. Stephenson, and T.B. Smith, “Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Mortality: A Meta-Analytic Review,” Perspectives on Psychological Science 10(2), 2015, 227-37, doi:10.1177/1745691614568352.