For instance, innovations such as telehealth platforms, wearable devices, medication reminder systems, and smart home technologies make it easier for patients to maintain their independence while helping caregivers provide better and more efficient support.
Importantly, research shows that digital health technologies can improve patient outcomes, access to care, and satisfaction in chronic disease management, especially diabetes care.
Additionally, digital devices can improve the accuracy of the diagnosis process and improve disease treatment. Moreover, these devices can empower patients to have more control over their health and help them make better-informed health-related decisions.
However, not every technology is suitable for every patient. Understanding the available options and selecting the right tools can make a significant difference your – or your loved ones – health.
In this article, you will learn about the most helpful technologies available today, their advantages and disadvantages, and practical tips for choosing the best solutions for patients and caregivers.
1. Helpful tech and tools for patients and caregivers: Medication management tools.
Medication non-compliance, such as skipping or delaying a medication, or taking the wrong dosage, can lead to serious complications, hospitalizations, and even life-threatening situations. Alarmingly, a study published in 2018 revealed that an estimated 125,000 people die in the US each year due to medication non-compliance. And it’s responsible for up to 25% of all hospitalizations.
Popular medication management tools.
Smart pill dispensers.
These devices automatically organize and dispense medications at scheduled times. These devices can notify patients and family members if a dosage is not taken. Many systems link to an app to allow for easy monitoring.
Medication reminder apps.
Mobile apps send notifications and reminders when it is time to take medications. Additionally, some apps can notify you regarding potential adverse drug interactions.
Electronic medication trackers.
These systems record medication schedules and can notify caregivers if doses are missed.
Pills with bioingestible sensors.
Interestingly, in some cases, sensors embedded into pills send alerts to a patient’s smartphone and healthcare provider when the medication is taken. This can help track a patient’s medication adherence pattern.
Wearable devices.
These devices monitor medication adherence and allow patients and their doctors to track medication usage.
Smart pill bottles.
These bottles track when a medication bottle is opened and can send messages to patients and family caregivers to allow you to track adherence.
Should you use a medication management tool?
Experts say new technologies can help prevent errors and ease medication management for everyone. Additionally, medication management tools can improve:
- Treatment adherence.
- Patient health.
- Patient’s quality of life.
Lastly, medication management systems can:
- Help caregivers monitor medication adherence.
- Provide peace of mind for patients and family members.
Pros of medication management tools.
- Automatic reminders and alerts.
- Helps patients who take multiple medications.
- Some devices can notify caregivers remotely if a patient fails to take a scheduled medication.
- Some mobile apps can not only remind you to take your medication but can track usage and provide alerts on potential adverse drug interactions.
Cons of medication management tools.
- Advanced systems can be expensive.
- Some patients may find setup difficult.
- Dependence on electricity and internet.
Who can benefit from medication management tools?
- Seniors living independently.
- People with cognitive issues, including Alzheimer’s, dementia, and traumatic brain injury.
- Patients managing complex medication regimens, including the need to take medications at different times each day
Tips for choosing a medication management tool.
Not all tools are suited for all uses. Start by asking your doctor which type(s) of medication management system he/she would recommend for you.
When considering your options, keep in mind the number of medications you take each day, and when you take them. Additionally, if you use an inhaler or injections, or take medications that must remain in the refrigerator, then a pill dispenser may not be the right choice for you.
If you’re thinking about a smart pill dispenser, keep these guidelines in mind:
- Choose large displays and simple controls.
- Look for caregiver notification features.
- Choose an option that comes with an app.
- Consider battery backup options for consistent service during power outages.
- Learn about monthly monitoring fees and ask if your insurance (Medicare or private) will help defray the costs.
Read Tips to Take Medication as Prescribed for more information on important medication-related items, including:
- Why people struggle to take their medication as prescribed.
- Questions to ask when receiving a new prescription.
- How to make sure you get the correct medication at the pharmacy.
- How to address medication side effects.
2. Helpful tech and tools for patients and caregivers: telemedicine and virtual care.
Telemedicine allows patients to consult healthcare providers through video calls, phone appointments, or secure messaging systems.
Benefits of telemedicine appointments.
- Patients can receive medical advice and care from the comfort of their homes.
- Better access to specialists.
- Reduced travel expenses and time away from work or household responsibilities.
- Flexibility for patients and family caregivers.
Cons of telemedicine appointments.
- Does not allow for physical examinations.
- Not appropriate for emergencies.
- Internet issues can interrupt appointments.
- Distractions at home can make it hard to focus on your appointment.
Importantly, if you use telemedicine to speak with a doctor who is not your own doctor, keep in mind that the “new” doctor does not know your personal health history.
Who can benefit from telemedicine appointments?
Nearly everyone! However, the following groups of patients are particularly well-suited for telemedicine appointments:
- Patients with mobility issues or other health issues that make travel to appointments very difficult.
- People with transportation barriers.
- Patients who live in rural and/or underserved areas with limited access to doctors.
- People who do not live within driving distance to a needed specialist.
- Patients who cannot leave home due to caregiving responsibilities.
Read The Pros and Cons of Telemedicine for more detailed information.
3. Helpful tech and tools for patients and caregivers: Wearable health devices.
These devices can improve a person’s ability to self-manage their health, including taking corrective action sooner and/or identifying potential issues sooner. These steps can lead to fewer doctor visits, lower hospitalization risks, and fewer diagnostic tests.
Popular wearables include:
- Smartwatches.
- Fitness trackers.
- ECG monitoring devices.
- Sleep trackers
Benefits of wearable health devices.
- Continuous monitoring, which can include heart rate and physical activity.
- Encourages healthy habits.
- Detects falls and emergencies.
- Tracks sleep quality.
- Easy to use.
Cons of wearable health devices.
- Premium models can be expensive.
- Requires regular charging.
- Accuracy can vary.
Who can benefit from wearables?
If you want to track health metrics, a wearable can be a good choice. Importantly, before you start relying on a smartwatch to monitor your health, talk to your doctor. Additionally, do not forgo medical care because you wear a smartwatch or other wearable. Critically, doctors can properly interpret your data and tell you what actions to take based on your data.
Interestingly, a recent study in the Netherlands found that smartwatches were better at detecting atrial fibrillation (Afib, or AF) than standard cardiology care for high-risk patients.
Tips for choosing wearables.
Firstly, determine which health metrics you want to track. Once you know what types of tracking you want, consider the following:
- Battery life.
- Smartphone compatibility – including the app interface and how easy it is to use.
- Availability of emergency alert features.
Read Smartwatches for Health Monitoring for more detailed information on smartwatches, including research on accuracy and the types of conditions you can monitor with a smartwatch.
4. Helpful tech and tools for patients and caregivers: Remote monitoring systems.
Common monitoring devices include:
- Blood pressure monitors.
- Continuous glucose monitors.
- Pulse oximeters.
- Weight monitoring devices.
Benefits of remote monitoring systems.
Benefits include the following:
- Doctors can closely track key health indicators, which can help in the development of personalized treatment plans.
- Early detection of problems.
- Reduction in doctor visits.
- Improvement in chronic disease management.
- Enables timely medical intervention.
- Better health monitoring.
- Improved communication with doctors.
- Helps patients engage in managing their health, including improvement in patient self-care.
- Increased participation in shared decision making.
Cons of remote monitoring systems.
- Device costs may be high.
- Possible inaccurate data.
- Patient over-reliance on RPM, which can delay seeing a doctor.
- Privacy concerns.
- Requires internet access.
- The technology may be difficult to use.
Who can benefit from remote monitoring systems?
Although there are many types of conditions that could benefit from remote monitoring systems, common conditions include:
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Cardiac rhythm issues.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure).
Tips for choosing a remote monitoring system.
Importantly, this is a decision you should make with your doctor.
Read Can You Get Your Medical Care at Home? for more detailed information.
5. Helpful tech and tools for patients and caregivers: Communication and care coordination apps.
Care coordination apps can organize and help you keep track of many important items, including:
- Medication schedules.
- Appointments.
- Medical records.
- Medical team contact information.
- Daily caregiving needs.
- Support from friends and family, including meals, drives to appointments, etc.
Pros of communication and care apps.
- Keeps everyone informed.
- Reminds patients and family caregivers about upcoming appointments.
- Improves teamwork.
Cons of communication and care apps.
- Learning curve for some users.
- You may have to pay subscription fees for premium features.
Who can benefit from communication and care apps?
Everyone who is managing a serious health condition – as a patient or family caregiver – could benefit.
What to consider when choosing an app.
Each app provides different features, therefore, think about the most important features to you when evaluating options. Consider the following:
- Ease of use.
- Ability to share calendars.
- Secure messaging.
- Multi-user access.
- Reminder notifications.
6. Helpful tech and tools for patients and caregivers: Mobility and safety solutions.
Examples include:
- Medical alert systems.
- GPS trackers.
- Fall detection devices.
- Smart lighting systems.
- Voice assistants.
Benefits of mobility and safety systems.
- Faster emergency response.
- Greater independence.
- Peace of mind for families.
- Peace of mind for family caregivers, knowing they will receive notification if a problem arises.
- Improved safety.
Cons of mobility and safety systems.
- Monthly subscription costs.
- Dependence on electricity and internet.
Who could benefit from a mobility or safety system.
There are many situations for which a mobility and/or safety system would be advantageous. For instance, seniors and people with cognitive or physical impairments may greatly appreciate a system. And these types of systems can provide peace of mind for family caregivers.
Considerations when choosing a mobility or safety system.
Firstly, determine your needs or the needs of your loved one. Once you’ve decided to use a mobility or safety system, consider the following:
- Ease of use.
- Initial costs, plus monthly or yearly fees (as applicable).
- Warranties.
- Services provided, including promised response times.
- Back-up systems in the case of power outages or internet disruptions.
7. Helpful tech and tools for patients and caregivers: Mental health and emotional support resources.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) apps that provide digital tools including thought records, mood tracking, and guided exercises.
- Meditation apps.
- Online therapy apps that connect you with licensed professionals for video, phone, and messaging support.
- Virtual support groups, often run by run by non-profit organizations, peer-led networks, and licensed mental healthcare providers.
- Stress management apps.
Benefits of mental health and emotional support resources.
Certainly, each person is different and may experience different outcomes from mental health resources. However, there is evidence of benefit.
For instance, a recent study found that digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) decreased depression and anxiety symptoms among users. These findings suggest that DMHIs may provide support for patients during periods where people cannot access care due to waiting lists.
Additionally, these tools can help you feel supported, encouraged and less isolated.
Cons of mental health and emotional support resources.
- Not a replacement for professional emergency care.
- Some services require subscriptions.
Importantly, if you feel depressed and/or have suicidal thoughts, call the suicide hotline 988, or call 911.
Tips for choosing mental health and emotional support resources.
Once you have determined which type of help you would like, consider the following:
- Ease of use.
- Cost.
- Privacy concerns.
- Services provided.
8. Helpful tech and tools for patients and caregivers: Assistive devices for daily living.
- Hearing aids.
- Mobility aids.
- Voice assistants.
- Speech-to-text software.
- Adaptive kitchen tools.
Benefits of assistive devices.
- Improved independence and confidence.
- Enhanced communication.
- Easier to perform daily activities.
- Improved quality of life.
Cons of assistive devices.
- Some devices are expensive.
- You may need training.
How to choose assistive devices.
Firstly, talk to your medical provider to learn what type of device(s) you need and what features you should look for. Once you know which device and features you need, consider:
- Ease of use.
- Costs.
- Warranties.
- Privacy concerns (as applicable).
Choosing the right technology for your needs.
Unsurprisingly, the best healthcare technology is one that meets your unique needs and fits comfortably into daily routines. Additionally, the technology should empower you to manage health with greater confidence and peace of mind.
Before investing in healthcare technology, ask these questions:
- Does it solve a specific problem?
- Is it easy to use?
- Does it fit your budget?
- Does it protect your personal information?
- Is customer support available?
Importantly, read customer reviews before purchasing, although take what you read with a grain of salt.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs).
What is the most useful technology for elderly patients?
Medical alert systems, medication reminders, and wearable health devices are among the most beneficial technologies for seniors.
Are healthcare technologies difficult to use?
Many modern devices are user-friendly with simple controls and voice assistance.
Can telemedicine replace in-person appointments?
No. Telemedicine is excellent for follow-ups and minor concerns, but emergencies and certain conditions still require in-person care.
Are wearable devices medically accurate?
Importantly, wearable devices can provide useful health information but should not replace professional medical advice or equipment.
How can family caregivers benefit from technology?
Technology helps caregivers stay informed, coordinate care, monitor health conditions, and reduce stress.
What should I consider before buying healthcare technology?
Ease of use, affordability, customer support, privacy protection, and the patient’s specific needs should all be considered.
I wrote this post in collaboration with Iqbal Masih, an SEO Specialist, Guest Post Outreach Expert, and Content Writer. Iqbal specializes in creating high-quality, SEO-friendly content and building authoritative backlinks that help businesses improve their online visibility and organic search rankings.