Families, Tech and Caregiving: FCA Showcases Emerging Technologies for Caregivers

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Most long-term care in this country is performed by families, not institutions. And, as in other areas of our society, new technologies have emerged as change agents in that care.

Although tech and eldercare may seem contradictory concepts, new developments in health monitoring, tracking/alert systems, medication management and scheduling/organizing care have proven to be useful tools for families. And as people are released from hospitals sooner than they used to be, even highly complicated medical procedures have come home.

To help families and caregivers learn about these emerging technologies, Family Caregiver Alliance announces two new programs.

• 
  Two Free Webinars on using technology in the home:
  • 
    On January 14, 2015 we'll explore Current Technology Trends & Emerging Products for Caregivers in the Home, a practical overview of technologies to consider when caring for an ill or elderly loved one. This webinar focuses on making the home environment safer and more efficient for family caregivers, and showcases emerging products and services currently on the market as well as what's in the pipeline for the future. Click HERE to register.
  • 
    On January 21, 2015, the second webinar, New Technology Products & Services: Making the Match for Caregiving Families focuses on finding and evaluating new technologies now on the market. Practical tips and checklists will be offered to help guide decision-making.
    Click HERE to register.

    Both webinars run from noon to 1:00 p.m. (PST) online. Underwriting  for the consumer education webinars and materials is provided by Julia Ko.

• 
  Tech4Care. In addition to the educational webinars, Family Caregiver Alliance has launched an online service to match new technologies with the families that can use them. Tech4Care offers product developers the opportunity to connect with visitors to the FCA website. New tech products will also be featured in blogs and FCA newsletters.

Four products kick off the new service.

• 
  GeriJoy-Virtual Care Companions - provides virtual senior care through teams of specially trained remote caregivers who interact with seniors through tablet-based avatars.  https://www.caregiver.org/gerijoy-virtual-care-companions
• 
  Evermind - provides peace of mind to those who live alone, or who need extra support, and the people who care about them by detecting when electrical appliances are switched on and off. https://www.caregiver.org/evermind
• 
  RightAssure – by EyeOn App, LLC-developed to help extend independent living and give peace of mind to both people living alone and their friends & families. https://www.caregiver.org/rightassure-eyeon-app-llc
• 
  The True Link Prepaid Visa® Card - protects a loved one's financial well being and independence with easy-to set spending controls. https://www.caregiver.org/true-link-prepaid-visa%c2%ae-card

According to Family Caregiver Alliance's Executive Director Kathleen Kelly, "We're excited to be able to provide families with education and access to emerging technologies--useful tools that offer real, practical value. And because we're located in the heart of innovation in San Francisco, we're ideally positioned to do that."

FCA has a long tradition of utilizing technology to benefit families and caregivers, and in fact has recently received new funding to expand and further develop services and educational offerings for families throughout the country.

About Family Caregiver Alliance

Founded in 1977, Family Caregiver Alliance was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the U.S. created to address the needs of caregivers. FCA and its National Center on Caregiving are now nationally and internationally recognized for pioneering programs—information, education, research and advocacy—that support and sustain the important work of families and friends caring for loved ones with chronic, disabling health conditions. Visit www.caregiver.org or call (800) 445-8106 for more information.