Mobility is almost always a struggle with seniors in the nursing home. The effects of old age make mobility issues a natural part of the process. However though, that may as well change in the future. Things like autonomous wheelchairs, voice-activated walkers, and even robotic exoskeletons would provide answers to issues relating to complete/partial 

We’ve made so many advancements in artificial intelligence, and robotics, that senior mobility might be in for a dramatic transformation, for the better, sooner than anyone thinks. But innovation doesn’t come without complications. These high-tech options will provide more safety and independence, but they’ll also create some tricky areas.

For example, what if a smart wheelchair malfunctions and injures someone? Who’s responsible? How do we protect the data that AI devices collect? And, probably the most important question of all: how do we make sure all seniors can get these technologies, not just the ones in expensive facilities? 

The future is bright, but that doesn’t mean it’s simple. 

The Future of Mobility in Assisted Living

Traditional walkers and wheelchairs are extremely helpful, but you have to admit that they’re not ideal. For people with mobility issues, life could still be much easier, safer, and more independent.

Here’s what we can look forward to in the future. 

IoT in Mobility Devices

IoT means devices can connect and share data with healthcare professionals. This will help caregivers a lot because they’ll be able to monitor their residents in real time and, if something goes wrong, it will be easy for them to act quickly. 

For example, let’s say that a senior who’s using a smart walker falls. The device will instantly send an alert to the caregiver and they’ll come running. 

Personalized Mobility Solutions

No two seniors are alike and they all have their own mobility needs. With new technology like 3D printing and modular designs, mobility aids can be tweaked to work for everyone. Imagine if there’s a wheelchair that perfectly fits a senior’s body or maybe a walker that can be adjusted as their needs change. 

Mobility Aids with Voice Control

If seniors were able to control their devices with their voice, their lives would be much easier. Luckily, this is something that we have a chance of having. With a simple command like “go forward” or “stop,” seniors can move around easily and they can also use voice commands to call for help or adjust their devices. All without having to touch them.

Autonomous Mobility Devices

Self-driving wheelchairs and other devices that are autonomous would move by themselves. This way, the seniors can get around on their own, without depending on someone to help them. For example, if a wheelchair were autonomous, it would be able to automatically take the senior from their room to the dining area. 

Legal and Ethical Side of Technology

Before facilities fully start using any of these new technologies, we should all take a step back to think about the legal and ethical issues. 

Responsibility, data privacy, accessibility… These technologies promise better, safer lives for seniors, but they also come with their own set of challenges. 

Liability in Case a Device Fails

Mobility devices are becoming smarter and more complex. At the same time, the chances of malfunctions rise. When something goes wrong, a senior could get seriously injured, and in that case, who’s to blame? 

Several parties could be liable – the company that made the device, the assisted living facility themselves, or even caregivers. The good news is, you could always talk to a nursing home wheelchair accident lawyer to clear things up. 

Concerns Over Data Privacy

With IoT and AI, these modern devices would collect huge amounts of data. This would include sensitive information like health metrics, location, and daily habits. On the one hand, this would allow caregivers to provide better care, but on the other, it also opens the door for privacy risks. 

Data breaches could result in seniors being exploited, frauded, or even discriminated against. Imagine if health data gets leaked; an insurance company could use it to deny coverage or increase premiums. Before this technology starts being used regularly, there should be stronger protection regulations in place and clear facility policies on how the data is used. 

Making Sure Everyone Has Access to Mobility Aids

Usually, advanced mobility aids are very expensive. High-end facilities will be able to afford them, but what about the rest? 

Possible solutions would be government subsidies, partnerships with tech companies, and non-profit campaigns. Whatever the case, everyone needs to be able to get advanced mobility aids. 

Conclusion

Advancements in technology are huge steps in the right direction, considering that they need to be applied carefully. There is much potential in this; however, it may also cause trouble. With great technology comes a great responsibility as to how before voice-activated wheelchairs and smart walkers ever became the norm, let’s ask the tough questions.

Who is responsible when such technology fails? How are we going to keep private information secure? How can it be accessible to everyone? There’s a lot of questions that still remain to be answered, and we can only wait for the future to deliver them.

The bright spark of this all is – with the right dose of progress and responsibility, all our lives will definitely become much better.