To truly grasp a senior's desire for independence, it is crucial to delve into their personal history and life experiences. Everyone has a unique journey that shapes their values and perceptions of autonomy. For many seniors, independence represents a lifetime of achievements and self-sufficiency. It is the result of their hard work, resilience, and the ability to navigate life's challenges.
Understanding their background involves acknowledging the era they grew up in, the societal norms they adhered to, and the personal milestones they have achieved. According to the National Council on Aging, as of 2022, there were 57.8 million adults age 65+ living in the U.S. This included 31.9 million women and 25.9 million men. In addition, among adults age 65+ in 2023, 59% lived with their spouse or partner, while roughly 28% lived alone. According to the 2020 census, most older adults over 65 today are considered "Baby Boomers" (born between 1946 and 1964), while the "Silent Generation" (born between 1928 and 1945) are now mostly in their late 70s and older, meaning a smaller proportion of the over 65 population falls into that category; as Baby Boomers continue to age, their numbers in the over 65 bracket will continue to grow significantly.
While both generations value independence, their experiences shape their attitudes. The Silent Generation often views accepting help as a loss of self-reliance, reflecting the values forged during the Great Depression and WWII. Baby Boomers, while also valuing independence, might have a slightly easier time accepting help because they have seen more societal shifts toward communal support systems. However, they still often struggle with the idea of being a burden.
In addition, there can be differences between senior men and women regarding independence, also shaped by societal roles and individual experiences. For example, women typically maintain stronger social networks, which can provide support and mitigate the sense of losing independence. Men might struggle more with isolation, making the transition to accepting help harder.
By appreciating these factors, family caregivers can better support seniors in maintaining their autonomy in a respectful and empowering way. It is about creating a balance where they feel in control of their lives while ensuring their safety and well-being. Seniors recognize the importance of staying safe, especially as they become more aware of their physical limitations. They often prioritize making small adaptations that allow them to remain independent while ensuring their safety, like using grab bars in the bathroom, wearing medical alert devices, or embracing smart home technology that helps monitor their well-being discreetly. They also value the input of their loved ones and healthcare providers, blending their desire for autonomy with practical safety measures. Open communication and mutual respect between seniors and their caregivers can make this balancing act smoother and more effective.
Although SimpliTend's mission has been to develop a solution that allows family caregivers to care for their loved ones remotely, seniors' independence and safety have been the foundation of the SimpliTend mobile solution. That is the primary reason we developed two smartphone applications: one for family caregivers and one for seniors to manage their own activities. We did not feel that restricting or observing seniors with gadgets and cameras displayed the appropriate respect for our seniors. I suppose the company can relate to its customers' feelings when the founder is also a senior.
In addition, we recognize that seniors' abilities may vary depending on their health restrictions, which is why we built flexibility into our mobile applications to meet the needs of seniors at various health stages. Examples of application features designed for seniors to promote independence are provided below.
One unique element of the SimpliTend solution that respects elders' independence is the ability for seniors to continue using their own familiar smartphone. We believe that replacing seniors' smartphones with less effective gadgets or typical senior phones undermines their independence.
SimpliTend allows seniors to continue enjoying their existing smartphone while adding features that keep them safe, such as:
Blocking unwanted calls
Ability to block annoying pre-installed apps with advertisements or external links.
Compile a short list of contacts, including friends and families with relationships, to remind seniors.
The SimpliTend senior app makes it simple for seniors to enter or modify their medication schedule and appointments. Additionally, the SimpliTend mobile app notifies them when it is time to get ready for their appointment or take their medication.
To assist the elderly, medication and appointment schedules are also displayed on the family caregiver's app dashboard, and caregivers are notified to remind the senior. Furthermore, family caregivers can access the senior's profile remotely, allowing them to review or modify medications, appointments, or contacts if the senior is unable to do so themselves.
We recognize that a senior's independence entails taking walks outside and chatting with neighbors. SimpliTend recognizes this and has incorporated three features to keep seniors’ safe outdoors.
GPS locator provides seniors' real-time location to family caregivers.
If a senior becomes disoriented during a walk, they may request directions back home – The SimpliTend app notifies the caregiver that the senior may be lost.
Caregivers can set up geofence boundaries and receive alerts if the seniors travel too far from home.
At SimpliTend, we believe it is important to strike a balance between making our elders feel in control of their lives and making sure they are safe and well. Please let us know your thoughts; you can leave a comment about our approach or your experience caring for your loved ones.