Elderly Caregiver Communication Tools

As the largest population segment in the U.S. becomes older, Baby Boomers are finding themselves thrown in to a caregiver role for their aging parents. Many of these elderly parents are moving in to their children's houses, which are often not equipped to handle the special needs the elderly have. One of those needs is to be able to easily communicate with their caregiver whenever a situation arises.

An elderly person needs to be able to summon help at any time whether he or she is in the bedroom, bathroom, or outside. There are medical alert devices that require monthly membership dues, but for an elderly parent living in the same house as the caregiver, this may be overkill.

The solution many people go with is a wireless intercom system. Wireless intercoms can easily be placed throughout the house in key areas to ensure caregivers can be reached when needed.

These battery powered intercoms are portable and have a battery life of up to 12 months. They have a range up to 1000 feet and you can use as many of them as you want. Plus they provide digital security so other people can't listen in to your conversations.

One of the key areas that needs readily available communication is the shower or bathtub. Most elderly people still want the independence of taking a bath by themselves if they are capable. But, bathing is one of the most dangerous activities an elderly person does. According to the National Safety Council, one person in the United States dies everyday from using a bathtub or shower.

While hot water is relaxing, for elderly it can relax the muscles to the point they lose the ability to get out of the tub on their own. This is why some sort of waterproof communication device is needed to summon a caregiver's help.

Whatever device is chosen, it must be battery powered since with anything else there is a risk of electrocution. Cordless phones or portable radios could be used for this application, but they aren't waterproof and they won't survive a drop in the tub.

Many caregivers install a waterproof outdoor intercom on the wall of the bathtub where it can easily be reached. With a single press of a button on this outdoor intercom the person in the tub can carry on a conversation with the caregiver.

This same outdoor intercom could be placed outside the home in a location where the parent likes to sit during the day. If the parent is wheelchair bound, this outdoor wireless intercom could even attach to the wheelchair so it's always within reach.

Once a caregiver installs a wireless intercom system everyone involved feels more secure knowing that a means of contacting assistance is always available.

For an intercom system that works perfectly for disabled people and the elderly, check out the article titled: Wireless Intercom for the Elderly or Disabled