Passive Monitoring to Catch Early Stage Health Issues in Older Adults
The older we get, the more likely we are to have health problems, especially ones that are related to chronic diseases like diabetes and heart conditions. The National Council on Aging suggests that eighty percent of adults 65 and older have at least one chronic condition, while 68% have two or more (NCOA.org, 2021). One of the most important things to do as an older adult is to stay on top of issues to avoid painful problems down the road. Fortunately, there are certain technologies available that can help identify small issues before they become big ones – all without having to go to the doctor’s office or to the local hospital every time you feel ill! Read on to learn more about passive monitoring and how it can help you and your loved one or your client.
Many older adults do not go to the doctor and get properly diagnosed. There are many reasons for this, including fear and the lack of comfort from trained medical professionals that understand older adults’ needs. The Association of American Medical Colleges cites that “An aging population requires more complex care and thus greater reliance on specialized care,” (AAMC, 2021). Even with a diagnosed chronic condition, older adults can get sick very quickly as they may not be used to being ill. As such, early diagnosis is very important. One of the best ways for older adults to catch early signs of illness is through passive monitoring. The data captured from passive monitoring serves as a basis for what is deemed normal ADLs (activities of daily living) for that particular person and provides alerts for possible health concerns should these patterns change. StackCare’s passive monitoring system was designed to recognize daily habits and detect any changes that might indicate health issues.
Silent health issues can also occur as we age. and being ‘silent’ these problems may not be as visible as other health conditions, but they can lead to severe issues if not diagnosed promptly and treated properly. Common silent health problems include memory loss, sleep disorders, depression, and vision loss. StackCare’s passive monitoring can assist family members and caregivers with alerts that the ADLs of an older adult have changed and a medical check-up may be necessary.
So how does passive monitoring help with identifying possible changes in a person’s health? Passive monitoring is a term used to describe the use of data and analyzing of that data in real-time to identify any number of conditions and is used to help detect early-stage problems and health concerns. One key advantage passive monitoring has over active testing is that it can save patients, caregivers, and family members time and money by reducing repeated trips or multiple follow-up appointments at the doctor. Another advantage is that when there are no visible symptoms, it can be difficult for older adults and caregivers to know when there is an issue worth addressing. With StackCare’s passive monitoring, alerts are triggered to suggest that there may be an underlying concern and warrants further attention.
Successful aging in place can come with challenges. Everyone (not just caregivers) benefits from knowing about passive monitoring systems and how they can complement the care of an older adult. Because older adults living at home for an extended period are prone to accidents and health issues, it’s important for them (and their loved ones) to know about passive monitoring solutions and how data can support a care network. Without monitoring technology, it is very difficult (if not impossible) for caregivers or relatives to be notified of serious issues or changes in ADLs or even a possible fall —all in real-time. Without proper care there is a greater likelihood that these conditions may go undetected until too late, which can possibly cause irreparable damage. StackCare brings state-of-the-art technology to families and caregivers around the world and provides peace of mind through non-invasive monitoring and artificial intelligence.
John Patton, MS Applied Gerontology
https://www.ncoa.org/article/the-top-10-most-common-chronic-conditions-in-older-adults
https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/aging-patients-and-doctors-drive-nation-s-physician-shortage