Technology can help keep the elderly safe

— -- We worry that we can't always be there for our elderly parents. Fortunately, technology can give you peace of mind. It will also help your elderly parents live independently longer. Links to products mentioned here can be found at www.komando.com/news.

Easy ways to keep watch

webcams are great for checking in with family. They're a simple and inexpensive solution. Most are priced less than $50.

You'll need two, one for your PC and one for your parent's setup. Get the same make and model. It will make setting up the calls a lot easier.

Using the cams, you can have a video call with your parents. Simply use free video chat programs like Skype and Yahoo Messenger. You'll get confirmation of their well-being. The better webcams let you pan and tilt the camera. In addition, you'll be able to record the calls.

Alternatively, you can sign your parents up for SkypeIn. For $3 monthly, it lets Skype users call cellphones and landlines. If you're not at a computer, your parents can still reach you.

You can also monitor your parents via a security camera. These are designed to protect areas from thieves and intruders. They start around $100.

With a security camera, you can see what's going on via any Web browser. No user intervention is needed. The camera is always on, so you can check in at any time. You can get e-mail or text alerts when motion is detected. And all that's required is an Internet connection.

Look for one with a two-way intercom. You'll be able to talk and hear their response.

Also consider a cellphone for seniors like the Jitterbug ($147) or ClarityLife ($270). With slimmed-down features and easy-to-use buttons, they're perfect for seniors. Your parents can reach you from anywhere. You can text reminders to take medication.

Monitoring health

Microsoft's HealthVault can help monitor your parents' health. It can download logs from a variety of manufacturers' gadgets.

For example, it works with some Omron blood pressure monitors (starting around $65), Bayer blood glucose monitors (starting around $30) and Tanita scales (starting around $210). You can view the logs yourself, or share them with doctors.

Your parents may not want to mess with computers and websites. So, consider a system like Honeywell HomMed's Sentry Telehealth Monitor. It measures blood pressure, oxygen saturation, weight, temperature and heart rate. Additional features, like a glucose meter, can be added.

The Sentry Telehealth Monitor prompts users to answer a series of questions. It also guides users on taking measurements. The process takes only a few moments.

This data is transmitted securely to a health care professional. It can reveal health issues early, before they become life-threatening.

Speak to your parents' doctors about the system or available alternatives. Not all doctors monitor the data provided by such systems.

Complete monitoring systems

Panic buttons, or Personal Emergency Response Systems, have long been available. They let a fallen senior call for help. They're usually worn on a lanyard around the neck.

These are helpful, but you may need more. Today, you can outfit a home with a series of monitors. Some panic buttons work with fall sensors. Even if the button isn't pushed, you or a caregiver will be alerted.

There are monitors that detect when someone lies down or rises from bed. Others monitor if medication is taken or how appliances are being used.

These can help you determine if your parents are using the toilet. You can be alerted if the stove is left on for a long period of time. You can check the room temperature remotely.

Or, receive an alert if your parent leaves the house late at night. Some systems even track movement throughout the house. This may reveal changes in behavior.

These systems are usually monitored by professionals. But you or a caregiver may also receive alerts. ENeighbor, QuietCare and SimplyHome are three systems to consider.

Prices vary widely based on your parents' needs. For a complete system, expect to pay between $200 and several thousand dollars. Add $50 to $100 for monthly monitoring fees.

Your loved one's safety and independence are worth the expense. But the systems can also lower nursing costs.

Of course, technology won't replace regular medical attention. Nor will it replace regular visits from you.

Monitoring tools for your parents can be quite expensive. However, your health insurance may be able to help. Call your provider to ask what's covered.

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Kim Komando hosts the nation's largest talk radio show about computers and the Internet. To get the podcast or find the station nearest you, visit www.komando.com/listen. To subscribe to Kim's free e-mail newsletters, sign up at www.komando.com/newsletters. Contact her at gnstech@gannett.com.