JD Mason
·
unsplash.comHow AI Serves as a Caregiver: AI Home Care for Senior Patients
Curated by
cdteliot
4 min read
269
2
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing senior care, offering innovative solutions to address the growing needs of an aging population. As reported by LeadingAge, AI tools are stepping into caregiving roles, providing 24/7 monitoring, early detection of health issues, and personalized care recommendations, while helping to alleviate critical workforce challenges in the healthcare industry.
Real-Time Health Monitoring
leadingage.org
Older patients need constant monitoring because their health fluctuates more often than those who are younger. AI can take on this role with its ability to track a patient's health status in real-time and detect health issues before they devolve into diseases
1
2
. With this innovation, senior patients can stay in the comfort of their homes, while their doctors and nurses can still see how their health is faring despite being separated by long distances3
.
How can AI do this? The patient is provided with portable and wearable AI devices. Once worn and fitted, their sensors will constantly log a patient's vital signs, activity levels, and medication intake2
4
. These sensors are connected to online software or health monitors where healthcare providers can see the data come in. The data are then automatically organized in charts and metrics, so the shifts and changes in a patient's condition are visible at a single glance4
. If ever there's something alarming, a health team can attend to the patient right away before it becomes an emergency1
3
.4 sources
AI-Driven Treatment Planning
If a senior patient decides to continue their treatment at home, AI can be a reliable partner in creating the ideal routine for them. It assesses the patient's data, looking at their medical history, health records, genetic profiles, wearable devices, and all other digital sources available. Based on its findings, it can understand the patient's genetic makeup, their health tendencies, and the state of their vital organs.
1
AI will then proceed to forecast possible health risks and create an at-home treatment plan that it deems to be the most effective to counter these imminent issues and the patient's current health problems. This plan can be as simple as suggesting medication options or as complex as forming an entire routine complete with ideal exercises and a specific diet. It can even adjust its treatment plan later down the line once it collects more recent data. If a patient shows improvement, AI can make the plan more lenient and lower medicine dosages or decrease the treatment length. However, if the patient's health declines, it may recommend another plan with more medication and restrictions.1
1 source
Medication Management and Reminders
Old patients may not remember to take their pills and vitamins at the right time by themselves. May it be memory loss due to old age or a preoccupied mind that can't keep track of everything, it would be harmful if prescribed medicine is forgotten or worse— taken twice without a proper gap in between. Thankfully, AI can be the one who taps a patient's shoulder and reminds them of their medication.
1
2
AI health apps are able to send notifications based on a patient's medication schedule, letting them know that they should take their prescription at the exact strike of the clock. Some software can even determine the right dosage of a medicine as long as a picture is taken of the prepared medication. Moreover, AI can inform the patient of the right way to administer treatment and any side effects they may experience from their pills or other prescriptions. If a certain medication is supposed to be good for a patient's condition yet they can have an allergic reaction to any of its components, AI will automatically cancel that medication from the prescription or treatment plan.3
4
4 sources
AI Companionship for Seniors
themandarin.com.au
Feelings of loneliness and helplessness often plague an old person living alone. These emotions are further heightened by the presence of diseases and deteriorating health. It's a bitter reality of life that some people may grow old without their family or close companions by their side. This makes it harder for senior patients to be optimistic and sustain the drive to take care of themselves.
1
2
To fight off the sinking isolation, AI can be a senior patient's company. A lot of chatbots online can function as virtual buddies and confidants, engaging in conversations like humans do. An old patient can simply connect with a chatbot as if it's their long-time friend. In advanced countries like Japan, robots are used to look after the elderly. Such robots can tend to the social aspect, communicating with their charges for cognitive stimulation and entertainment, or they can focus on physical care by helping them eat, walk around, settle down to sleep, take a bath, and use the toilet.3
3 sources
Fall Prevention and Detection
fabnhsstuff.net
Elder patients are at risk of falls and stumbles because they already have weak joints and bones. For the same reason, they're also likely to get fractures from the impact of a fall.
1
2
That's why old patients should avoid tripping over themselves as much as possible. Unfortunately, this is difficult if they live away from any healthcare professionals or support staff. If left to their own devices, they may slip or collapse without anyone there to assist them.3
Cue in artificial intelligence. AI can surprisingly identify and mitigate the probability of a fall with the use of sensors and machine learning. It can achieve this through wearable devices, depth cameras, or floor sensors.4
5
It always watches a patient, recognizing their walking patterns to determine fall risk.3
6
6 sources
Closing Thoughts on AI Home Care for Senior Patients
Staying confined within the white walls of a hospital or hospice can be bleak and depressing. It's no wonder why senior patients would rather go home than stay in such a drab place that reeks of medicine and illness. Before, this was unadvisable because there was no way to monitor an elderly patient when they were away from a health institution. However, with the rise of AI, this option is now welcome and practiced.
Different people have different things to say about artificial intelligence, but everyone must admit they're highly beneficial for the home care of senior citizens. Especially if the patient doesn't have anyone there to care for them, AI can stand in as a devoted caregiver and companion. From tracking their health to reminding them of their medication, AI can make life easy for the elderly who are already suffering from health complications.
Related
How does AI help seniors manage their medication schedules
What are the benefits of AI in monitoring the health of elderly patients at home
How does AI provide companionship for seniors without family support
What are the ethical considerations of using AI for elderly care
How does AI assist in early detection of health issues in elderly patients
Keep Reading
Revolutionizing Medicine: How AI is Changing Healthcare
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the healthcare industry by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, streamlining administrative processes, and personalizing patient care. From robotic surgeries to predictive analytics, AI's integration into healthcare promises significant advancements in both patient outcomes and operational efficiencies.
9,974
Revolutionizing Elderly Care: AI's Transformative Innovations
As the global population ages, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into elder care is becoming increasingly vital. AI technologies offer promising solutions to enhance the quality of life for seniors, providing everything from health monitoring and fall detection to companionship and daily activity assistance. This technological evolution aims to support the independence and well-being of older adults while addressing the challenges of caregiver shortages and the rising demands of...
19,260
Why Artificial Intelligence (AI) Won't Replace Doctors
Artificial intelligence is rapidly advancing in healthcare, raising questions about its potential to automate medical tasks and even replace human doctors. While AI shows promise in enhancing diagnostic accuracy, treatment recommendations, and clinical efficiency, the complexity of medicine and the importance of human judgment and empathy suggest that doctors are not likely to be fully replaced by AI anytime soon.
12,754
Personal AI: How AI is Becoming Your Personalized Assistant
Personal AI, a rapidly evolving technology, is transforming the way individuals interact with digital assistants, offering tailored experiences that go beyond simple task automation. As reported by Personal.ai, these AI systems are designed to understand user preferences, enhance accessibility, and improve efficiency in daily life, paving the way for a more personalized and connected future.
1,684