In the health and technology markets, there are dozens of new products coming out every few months. Most are designed to boost the user’s quality of life, longevity, or general safety. These minor and major breakthroughs can go a long way toward empowering adults to take control of their wellness and fully enjoy everyday activities. Nowadays, consumers can purchase all sorts of health-related products and devices for use in the privacy of their homes.
In many cases, prices are quite affordable. There’s a unique kind of synergy between science and healthcare that has encouraged a holistic and DIY (do-it-yourself) version of healthcare than in decades past. Some of the most popular items among modern adults are sophisticated hearing aids, telehealth apps, home lifts, emergency alert bracelets, high-tech wheelchairs, postural aids, defibrillators, and oximeters. Here’s an overview of how people are using health tech products to live better lives.
Telehealth Apps
In less than a half-decade, telehealth apps have completely changed the way people interact with doctors and other members of the healthcare community. It’s easy, in the 2020s, for patients to connect with doctors via message platforms and video chats. The best part of the whole thing is that there’s no need to leave home for a routine checkup. The telehealth revolution means that individuals save money and time whenever they visit the doctor. Other aspects of the new way of doing things includes rapid delivery of prescription medications via electronic prescriptions. The apps offer users a seamless and convenient way to communicate with all their healthcare providers.
Home Lifts
For anyone who has a mobility challenge, a home lift is a game changer. Not only do the units offer homeowners a safe and convenient way to move about their living space, but they also give them the peace of mind that comes with never having to use stairs. Lifts are as much a part of the wellness industry as products like walkers, blood pressure devices, and alert bracelets. Companies like Lifton Home Lifts can install the devices in private homes of any size or age and give residents the chance to gain a substantial amount of independence and confidence that they lacked when faced with multiple flights of stairs. Getting to and from second floor bedrooms is no longer a chore when your home has a modern lift.
Next Generation Hearing Aids
Hearing aids have been getting more sophisticated and better for several decades. The improvements have been slow to come at times, but during the past decade, audiologists and technicians have made significant strides. Today’s devices are tailor-made for every user, just as eyeglasses are. Every hearing aid is uniquely set for its owner. Audiologists help their patients get the settings just right and readjust the units at least once per year. The latest breakthrough in hearing science is the implantable aid. A doctor places the unit in the patient’s ear. The result is a more natural sound for the user and no visible device on the outside of the ear. The discreet aids help remove the social stigma once associated with using hearing devices. Along with that benefit, the latest items in the niche offer much better sound quality and no need to buy or change batteries, which is a major disadvantage for hearing aid users.
Emergency Alert Units
Alert bracelets and wearable necklaces have been around for many years. Now, they’re smaller, more powerful, and connected to the internet via Wi-Fi. For vulnerable adults who need to be able to summon help at any time of the day or night, the units offer peace of mind. There are dozens of different versions on the market, with some offering features like GPS tracking for older adults who might get lost when they go for walks, fall detection for those who have balance issues, and audible alarms that can get the attention of neighbors or people in other rooms of the house. Anyone who has a chronic health condition can benefit from the affordable items. Most come with monthly connection plans or annual subscriptions for emergency calls.
High-Tech Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are one of the oldest healthcare products used in homes. The newest versions are nothing short of high-tech miracles. They not only offer transformational mobility for those with a wide range of disabilities but also come in every imaginable style. Today’s chairs come with countless advanced features like electronic obstacle alerts, motorized controls, customized seating, adjustable height and recline position, and more. Users of modern wheelchairs enjoy better posture, more maneuverability, lighter units, and less overall bodily strain. For enhanced well-being, the most sophisticated chairs on the market get the job done. Plus, anyone who needs a specially equipped chair can find one or ask a dealer to custom-build it to specifications.
Postural Aids
One of the newest products in the health and wellness niche is the postural aid. The wearable vests are more like a series of several wide straps that encircle the upper abdomen and hold it in place. They correct and support the body’s posture and are designed for those who are susceptible to posture-related problems or who live relatively sedentary lifestyles. Through subtle feedback, the units give wearers reminders to stand straighter and avoid holding their shoulders in a forward rounded position. The main advantage of postural aids is a much-reduced risk of muscle and skeletal problems as well as more comfort for the person wearing them.
Miscellaneous Devices
This category includes many devices, some of which are common and some not. Many individuals already have thermometers, oximeters, and blood pressure monitors in their homes. However, items like portable EKG machines and blood-sugar monitors are relatively new in the retail marketplace. For everyday wellness monitoring, fitness trackers are one of the hottest consumer products of the decade. Millions use fitness wristband devices to track their exercise habits, log miles walked or run, and count calories burned throughout the day. Together, the products in this niche can help users take advantage of preventive healthcare management, live more active lives, and collect important medical data for use during telehealth visits with doctors and nurses.