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It can be challenging to keep our senior family members safe and healthy around the clock, especially when we’re not physically with them. Luckily, modern technology allows us to easily keep an eye on them even from miles away, and devices like baby monitors are becoming increasingly popular among children of elderly parents. However, are baby monitors really effective at helping you keep an eye on your loved ones?
Baby monitors are good for monitoring the elderly. These devices are affordable, work remarkably well, and are readily available in many brick-and-mortar and online stores. They help you feel more at ease while also providing seniors with a sense of security.
If you’re worried about looking after your parents even when you’re away, investing in a baby monitor is an excellent idea. Below, I’ll dive into everything you need to know about using these devices, including a few tips on how you can make the most out of them and some of my recommendations on the best models to purchase. Let’s begin!
Can I Use a Baby Monitor for My Aging Parents?
Just like everything else, using a baby monitor for your aging parents comes with its advantages and disadvantages. Still, it’s generally considered a great way to keep watch over your loved ones while you’re away.
However, one important factor to remember is that as long as your parent or family member is of sound mind, asking for their consent beforehand is of the essence. While most elders would appreciate having a pair of eyes on them in case of an emergency, some may consider it a severe breach of privacy. Considering that your loved one’s comfort and sense of security are the end goal here, their opinion should be the determining factor on the matter.
With that said, most adult children interested in investing in a baby monitor usually have elderly parents suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia. In such cases, installing a monitor is typically up to the children.
If you’re unable to obtain the elder’s consent, you might want to check your local laws and regulations regarding the matter before making a decision, as the last thing you want is to end up in legal turmoil while simply wanting to look after your loved one.
If your parent would feel safer with the extra supervision but still wants to maintain a sense of privacy, a great compromise would be to get a sound or motion-activated monitor that operates only when there’s movement around it.
As long as you have your aging parent’s approval, you can easily use a baby monitor to supervise them. You can find these devices in your local tech store or online. While baby monitors work great for this purpose, you can also opt for a model that’s specifically designed to be used for the elderly. These devices are usually called “room monitors.”
That said, elderly parents with progressive dementia or Alzheimer’s will benefit from being in an assisted living environment, as they need not only constant monitoring but also support and assistance. I have a guide on discussing assisted living with dementia patients that you can check out for more information. [How To Convince Dementia Patients To Get Assisted Living]
Advantages of Using Baby Monitors for Seniors
I’ve already covered some of the pros of using baby monitors for seniors in passing, but here’s a comprehensive list of the benefits you can expect:
- Increased safety: The number one reason so many families choose to invest in baby monitors for their senior members is to ensure they’re healthy and safe. These devices offer a great sense of security to all parties involved, allowing them to go about their lives with peace of mind.
- Increased communication among family members: If the device has a two-way audio feature (and most baby monitors do), family members will have the incentive to communicate with each other more often, leading to improved relationships.
- Ability to monitor one’s health: Many models, especially those designed specifically for monitoring the elderly, come with health-tracking features that can help seniors keep a closer eye on their health and notice worrying signs as soon as possible.
- Ability to monitor the property when no one’s home: Baby monitors serve various safety-related purposes. You’d be surprised to see just how useful they can be even when your loved ones aren’t home, as they can also serve as security cameras, catching potential burglars in the act.
- Improved relationship with your loved one. Instead of always worrying about your elderly loved one, and constantly checking up on them, using a baby monitor frees up time. This allows you to spend more quality time with them, and have the peace of mind that if they need help, you can take action.
Disadvantages of Using Baby Monitors for Seniors
Baby monitors are versatile tools, and the peace of mind that they provide is invaluable. However, there are still some drawbacks to consider before investing in one:
- Breach of privacy: Even though when it comes to seniors, safety is of the utmost priority, our parents are still people that crave and deserve a sense of privacy. Therefore, should you install a monitor in their house, it’s crucial that you still leave some rooms/sections unsupervised for them to feel at peace. You can give them a fall detector bracelet that’ll still alert you if something goes wrong out of view.
- Malfunctions: As useful as baby monitors are, they’re still technological devices prone to damage. Malfunctions can cause a great deal of stress. Therefore, carry out regular maintenance to keep the device in good working order.
- Not intended for the elderly: Though cheaper than most other similar devices, baby monitors are not intended to be used for the elderly. Therefore, using a baby monitor means missing out on health-related features that come with monitors created for senior supervision.
How To Use a Baby Monitor for the Elderly
If you went through the above pros and cons and decided to invest in a baby monitor, it’s time to learn a bit more about how you can use it to its full abilities. After all, as with any purchase, you’ll want to get the most value for your money.
Before taking you through a step-by-step guide on how to choose and use a baby monitor for the elderly, I want to reiterate the importance of consent. If your loved one doesn’t feel comfortable with a camera recording their every move 24/7, you can opt for another safety device, like a health-tracking accessory, for example, to make sure they’re healthy and well.
With that said, if you’ve received your parent’s approval, you can start with the first step of making the most out of your baby monitor: choosing the right model:
- Find a high-quality model. Most baby monitors are relatively affordable, so spending a bit more to make sure you’re getting a top-tier product is always worth it. Malfunctions and false alarms can cause a great deal of stress. Moreover, a cheap device can stop working when it’s most needed, defeating the purpose of installing it in the first place.
- If your loved one is currently residing in a senior care facility, check with their policies first. While most of them don’t mind having cameras installed in their residents’ rooms, others have strict policies against the practice, so make sure you’re not breaking any rules before investing in a monitor.
- Find the right location to place the monitor. This is arguably the most crucial step. The monitor should be installed in a strategic location, such as the room that your elderly parent occupies most frequently. You should ensure that the monitor is unobstructed and captures as much as possible within its field of view. You can also opt for a moving model that spans an entire space over a minute or two.
- Install and turn on the monitor. This part is pretty straightforward; simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Turn on alarms and notifications from the monitor’s app. You should check in as often as possible; however, you won’t always have the luck of tuning in at the right time. So, investing in motion or fall-detector models and allowing notifications to come straight to your phone is often your best bet.
The Best Baby Monitors for Monitoring the Elderly
I’ve mentioned that finding the right monitor model is one of the most crucial parts of the process. However, what exactly does the “right” baby monitor look like? Below, I will answer these questions by taking you through three of my favorite baby monitors for monitoring the elderly. All of them are available on Amazon.com:
POMEWY Baby Monitor
This POMEWY baby monitor strikes the perfect balance between quality and affordability. Its 5″ (12.7 cm) LCD screen provides excellent image quality, allowing you to catch even the smallest details.
The monitor is also fully controllable through a user-friendly remote, which allows you to pan it over 355 degrees. It also comes with a practical zoom feature.
The installation process is incredibly straightforward, with a simple plug-in setup that allows you to get the device up and running in no time. Therefore, if you’re worried about your parent and want to start checking on them as soon as possible, the POMEWY baby monitor is an excellent choice.
Another great feature of this device is its night-vision mode, which lets you clearly view what’s going on in low-light conditions.
Last but not least, the manufacturer guarantees you and your loved ones’ safety through their use of FHSS technology, which makes it impossible for those who don’t have access to the monitor to view the video stream.
HelloBaby Baby Monitor
If affordability is what you’re looking for, this HelloBaby monitor will surely fit your needs. Keep in mind that although this model is easy on the pocket, that doesn’t take away from its quality and reliability.
The HelloBaby monitor offers many of the same features as the POMEWY one, including the 5″ (12.7 cm) display and the remote-controlled camera, which can be rotated up to 355 degrees. You also get excellent night vision that allows you to check on your loved ones around the clock.
This device comes equipped with 2-way audio, allowing you to communicate with your parent at the push of a button. The sound quality is surprisingly good, especially considering the monitor’s price point. Your voice will come out clear and uninterrupted on the other end.
The brand also did a great job at upgrading its new monitor, as the previous model was far more flimsy and prone to lagging, which was somewhat reflected in the price. However, you won’t have to worry about any of that with this new and improved model.
Kidsneed Baby Monitor
Last but certainly not least, there’s the Kidsneed baby monitor. This Amazon best-seller comes at a surprisingly affordable price point. Thousands of reviewers rave about its impressive range of view, its clear imagery, and the convenient zoom function.
At 3.5” (9 cm), the display of this monitor is slightly smaller than the other options mentioned thus far. However, the high image quality makes up for this.
Another unique feature is the temperature alarm, which notifies you if the temperature in the space the monitor is mounted in reaches uncomfortable levels. Moreover, the mic that supports the two-way audio is extremely sensitive and transmits crystal-clear sound.
Like all other options mentioned on this list, the Kidsneed baby monitor comes with a night vision feature that allows you to view what’s happening even when it’s dark. Lastly, the long-range signal is encrypted, so you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that no one can tap into the signal and view your display.
Conclusion
Baby monitors are an excellent investment if you’re looking to keep a closer eye on your senior family members. They provide unparalleled peace of mind, as you’ll be able to check on your loved ones in real-time, ensuring they’re safe and healthy.
These devices are also greatly appreciated by the elderly themselves, as they provide an added sense of security. With the recommendations I have listed above, you should be able to find a model that fits your and your parents’ needs best.
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