It is difficult to go through the day without being confronted by COVID-19 almost everywhere it seems. It feels in many ways like the pandemic has thrown the world off balance. As we continue to “shelter in place” and/or “social distance” caregiving has become even more important yet more complex, especially when your loved ones are living remotely.
As the pandemic continued, researchers began to document the consequences of these actions for older adults. The data began to accumulate that showed first the immediate results and later the longer-term impact of cutting off social connections, healthcare appointments (including cancer treatments) and more. The pandemic was producing social isolation and loneliness at unprecedented levels.
There’s a growing sense of urgency to address this challenge for older adults. What has been the impact on them of the daily onslaught of COVID-19 statistics? What about nine months of ceaseless updates about case counts? Has this produced a permanent fear of contact with others, including families, especially on holidays? This is leading to the development of public-private partnerships to bring devices and products to older adults, now isolated for as much as 9 months. Will that help? Tech firms are trying to boost access to the internet and devices – will this become a 2021 priority for non-profits and government? And this opens up significant possibilities for the older population – the real seniors, aged 75+, perhaps previously unnoticed by media and technology providers.
And it is not just this population, but also those suffering from long term COVID-19 after effects as well as those with behavioral health challenges, oncological needs and/or lack of ambulation due to musculoskeletal deficiencies who can benefit from this technological shift. We know that health systems and health plans around the country are using many technology solutions to help manage COVID-19 and expect the coming months to yield further important lessons learned. It’s possible that as consumers and clinicians increasingly use and realize the benefits of virtual health during the pandemic, this heightened understanding could serve as a catalyst for even further innovation.
In response to living the challenges first-hand of managing quality in-home care for seniors and those suffering from the long-term after effects of COVID-19 and other conditions, one such company situated in California’s Bay Area has developed and launched a solution that enables these affected to live meaningful, connected and fulfilled lives in the safety and comfort of their own homes.
The Company’s free mariposa.care app is designed to provide significant value for remote family members, caregivers and seniors needing assistance. The goal is to simplify care coordination and enable family members to focus on what really matters; enabling their loved ones to live extraordinary lives and creating meaningful moments together!
mariposa.care offers care coordination, mobile medication reminders and progress reporting on in-home care plans. Via the mariposa.care mobile app family members, seniors and caregivers can collaborate, communicate and coordinate the delivery of outstanding care experiences.