Tips from Katie Couric on Growing Old with Grace & Gadgets

Growing old is not for the faint of heart, it takes courage and aid to take on such a feat. The Katie Couric Shows blog has compiled a list of gadgets and technology to help out those whom are aging or someone aiding another with the aging process.

Growing Old with Grace and Gadgets

Tech Support
Seniors who utilize technology can remain more independent and connected than seniors who do not. If you don't have time to help your aging parent with teaching them tools of technology there are many adult education courses that cover the internet and basic computer skills. (http://www.seniornet.org/ & http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/AdultEd/index.html)

Sensible Sensors
Sensors can be placed on objects to track certain behavior or routine tasks. (http://www.mylively.com/) There are also cameras that can be placed in the home of loved ones to allow monitoring and a way to stay connected. (https://www.dropcam.com/ & http://getpiper.com/)

Keeping in Touch
Some seniors may not be ready to dive full into technology with a smartphone in hand but there are mobile phones made specifically for seniors. The Jitterbug is designed with seniors in mind with large and easy to read buttons. (http://www.greatcall.com/products/jitterbug)

A Step in the Right Direction
As people age memory problems may arise. Many children of aging parents want to be able to keep track of their loved on. There is now a shoe accessory available that is slid into a shoe and able to track the location of the person wearing it. (http://www.gtxcorp.com/platform/products_and_service)

The Pill Problem
Most seniors are taking medications on a daily basis. It is easy for many people to forget even a simple medication regimen. e-pill is the premier distributor of medication reminders. We offer a variety a gadgets to help seniors remember to take their medication. The products featured on the show were the e-pill TimeCap, CADEX Platinum, and the e-pill Station. The e-pill Station or the Pill Service Station is an impressive pill dispenser and tipper combination. Katie Couric's impression was,"Wow that's cool!". This device stores medication and dispenses it only when the medication is due. The device is locked to avoid medication errors. (http://www.epill.com/)

Can You Hear Me Now
Hearing is one of the most common abilities that begins to diminish as we age. Many seniors need help in order to hear as optimally as they used to. There are hearing aids which are bluetooth connected and have the ability to receive phone calls and even the Siri application (iPhone) through the aid. (http://www.starkey.com/hearing-aids/technologies/halo-wireless-hearing-aids)

Cleaning Up
Cleaning duties are usually not kept as hobbies and with an aging parent chores can become even more tedious with physical inability. There are now robotic vacuums available which allow people to keep their house clean without the physical exertion. The Moneual Rydis H68 Hybrid can clean carpets and hard floors. (http://moneualusa.com/index.php/shop/hybrid-robot-vacuum-cleaner-rydis-h68-pro.html)

Source:
http://katiecouric.com/videos/technology-for-aging-parents/
Katie Couric's Best Tech for Aging Parents

Research Study on Parkinson's & Smell

The Michael J. Fox Foundation is holding a Parkinson's Research Study on Smell. They want to study the relationship between loss of smell and Parkinson's. They are looking for 10,000 participants. The participants should either be above the age of 60 or have Parkinson's.
http://www.medclock.com/smell.html

We Want Your Feedback!

The 4 Alarm Vibrating Pocket Pill Box is one of our most popular products. We are considering selling other color options. Find our poll on Facebook to provide us with feedback on different color options. Your opinion matters!
https://www.facebook.com/epillMedicationReminders

My Reminder that Stays with Me

            It all started with a busy morning, the kind you rush through. I was lucky to remember my coffee on the counter, yet I forgot my cell phone at home. My cell phone was important for many reasons. I tried hard to always remember to bring my cell phone with me but there were times I would forget to bring it. This was a day plagued with memory lapses. This forgetful experience was detrimental to my health since I put my reminders for my medication on my cell phone. Epilepsy is the type of condition in which you can't forget to take your medication. While at work I was worrying about not having my cell phone. It was a busy day with many deadlines to work through. I forgot to take my seizure medication on time and had an epileptic episode. This was an embarrassing and frightening moment for me.

            After this happened, I concluded that the cell phone reminder was not working for me. I spent some time researching a product that would help me never to forget to take my medication again. I found the e-pill 12 Alarm CADEX medication reminder watch (with an alert function) by e-pill. This product is unique and functional and it even has a patent on it. It has 12 alarms as well as a medical snooze feature which continually notifies me until I take my medication. The watch also has a beneficial alert button. When the alert button is pressed is displays my name, condition, any allergies, my doctor's name, and other vital information. I feel confident with my 12 Alarm e-pill CADEX watch that even though I will continue to forget some things, it will not be my medication. Leave your cell phone reminder behind on purpose this time, and choose a 12 Alarm CADEX e-pill medication reminder and alert watch instead.