Essential Medical Equipment to Monitor Your Aging Parent's Health at Home
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When you were growing up, the extent of the medical gadgets in your home was probably limited to a thermometer and a multipack of bandaids. Now that you’re managing your parent’s care the stakes are a little higher. You know that the band-aids aren’t going to cut it but no amount of googling is making things better. Everyone has an opinion and the deeper you go the less you know what to do.
So let’s go through a basic list of essential gadgets you should have on hand to monitor your elderly parent’s health. Today we’re focus on: blood pressure, oxygen, temperature, and weight.
Let’s do this.
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Imagine having a trusted friend who's also a nurse with years of senior care experience. You’d probably ask them for advice on things like this.
Folx Patrol is like that friend only we combine our professional opinions with hours of research looking at clinical reports, trusted review sites, and customer feedback. So you get the absolute best recommendations without the need to remember our birthday. Learn more here.
1. Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor
At the top of this list is a blood pressure monitor. You can go manual if you want but my guess is that you don’t have a ton of experience using one (otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this). Plus, even if you do, you know that you’d also need a stethoscope and we’re not here to complicate your life.
So just save yourself some time and get an automatic blood pressure monitor.
Our Picks
The Best Overall - Omron Platinum BP5450
Omron is a solid brand. The Platinum has a better screen, a larger and more comfortable cuff, and dual sensors for better accuracy. If I just wanted something for my home, this would be my pick.
Also Great - Omron Silver
Another Omron product that is very similar to the one I use (the 5 Series) but easier to find. Seriously, I use this thing regularly and it’s never let me down.
What to Look For
It’s important to use one that is clinically validated. This means that the device has been tested for accuracy by a third party. Accuracy matters when we’re dealing with people’s health. We only looked at cuffs listed on ValidateBP.org or StrideBP.org.
Wrist cuffs are difficult to get a good reading. This is why we recommend a good quality upper arm cuff. Even as a highly trained RN, I couldn’t always get a good reading using wrist cuffs.
Look for devices that can sync to a phone app and store multiple readings. This can be incredibly helpful for seeing trends in your parents’ health. We’re all about the trends people.
Why You Need It:
High blood pressure is bad. Low blood pressure can be worse. Keeping tabs on it helps you spot trends and avoid surprise ER visits.
It’s like getting receipts for their health: You’ll have actual data to show the doctor, instead of just saying, “I dunno, sometimes they seem... woozy?”
Easy for everyone: Even if your parents have arthritis or mobility issues, they can probably use it on their own.
Tips for Using It:
Cuff placement matters: Use the guidelines on the cuffs to line it up properly. Make sure it’s snug enough to stay on but not so tight it’s cutting off circulation. Remember, it’s going to inflate.
Body position matters: Seated in a chair, both feet on the floor, arm resting on a surface at heart level.
Bare skin: You’ll get your best readings if the cuff is placed directly on the skin. It’s like listening in on someone else’s conversation: much better if you in the same room rather than listening through a wall.
Consistency is key: Take measurements at the same time daily. Check with the doctor to see if you should take it before or after taking their morning meds.
2. Pulse Oximeter
Ah yes, the tiny device that clips onto your parent’s finger and tells you if they’re breathing like a zen monk or an asthmatic kitten. The pulse oximeter measures oxygen levels and heart rate which is important for anyone with respiratory issues and heart conditions.
You could spend a lot of time researching these little buggers but I don’t recommend it. I’ve spent way too much time learning about them because I found that the cheaper ones aren’t accurate for all skin tones. The reason is because pulse oximeters work by shining a light through your finger to get a read on how much oxygen is in your blood. When you have darker skin tones, this reading can get compromised unless the device is designed to accommodate for the differences in skin tone. Unsurprisingly, most pulse oximeters fall short on this .
So while you can get a cheap version for around $20-$30, I’m going to suggest you don’t go cheap here. First, if the device gives you a reading that is incorrectly low, you could waste a whole day in the ER thinking something was wrong but finding out everything is ok. Second, if the device gives you a reading that is incorrectly high, then you could miss the fact that your parent isn’t getting enough oxygen with much more serious consequences.
If it were me or my parent, I’d shell out the extra cash to get an accurate reading.
Our Picks
Best Overall - Nonin Tru02
This is a newer model from Nonin which is much easier to read thanks to a better display and ergonomics.
Also Great - Nonin 9590
There’s a reason all the other reviews rate this highly. It’s accurate and it works.
Also Great - Massimo MightySat
Accurate across multiple skin tones and a bright display.
What to Look For
FDA Approved
Accurate for all skin types
Easy to read display
Why You Need It:
COVID taught us a lesson: Low oxygen levels can be sneaky. Someone could look perfectly fine but have dangerously low levels.
Respiratory conditions need monitoring: For parents with COPD, asthma, or heart disease, keeping an eye on their oxygen levels is essential.
It’s quick and painless: No needles, no drama, just clip and check.
Tips for Using It:
Know the normal range: A healthy SpO2 is usually 93% or higher but check with your parents’ doctor. Certain conditions require different measurements.
Stay still: Movement can mess with the reading. No jazz hands.
Warm those hands: Cold fingers = inaccurate results. If their hands are icicles, rub them together, use a warm towel, or have them sit on their hands first.
Scale
Keeping track of your parents’ weight: it’s not just about managing obesity. While this is also important, especially when it comes to things like heart health, diabetes, and joint pain, measuring weight is also a way to measure how well their heart is working.
The good news is that you can get a pretty great scale for between $30-$50. Do you need an app? It’s nice to have but we’d prefer to spend that money elsewhere and focus more on a solid, accurate model.
Our Picks
Best Overall - Escali High Capacity Anti-Slip Digital
Anti-slip surface combined with accuracy and an easy to read display makes this a clear winner.
Also Great - Renpho R-msd02
Accurate with a large surface for up to 550 lbs.
If It’s Gotta Have an App - Wyze Scale S
Accuracy with an app.
What to Look For
Accuracy: Our weight fluctuates throughout the day but your scale’s readings shouldn’t.
Easy to read display
Large, stable base.
Why You Need It:
Early signs of trouble: Unexpected weight changes can signal anything from water retention to diabetes.
Medication side effects: Some meds, like those that make you pee, cause weight fluctuations, and tracking them helps your doctor adjust prescriptions accordingly.
General health tracking: Weight trends can also indicate malnutrition or dehydration—common in older adults.
Tips for Using It:
Same time, same day: Consistent weigh-ins (preferably in the morning, post-bathroom visit) provide more accurate data.
Place it on a hard, flat surface: Scales are like that finicky plant in your living room. Just keep it in one place at it will be happy.
Calibrate often: Ideally before you use it every time but you’re not going to do this. How about once a week?
Look for trends, not single readings: Weight naturally fluctuates. Focus on trends over time.
Thermometer
No, you can’t just feel their forehead and declare, “Yup, you’re definitely burning up.” According to the National Institute on Aging, a temperature greater than 100°F (37.8°C) is cause for concern. Get a reliable thermometer to accurately measure their temperature because a mild fever could mean an infection or something more serious.
We like the infrared models that you can point at the forehead or temple because they’re more sanitary and better for parents who are easily confused. The in-ear models are more accurate but sticking something in their mouth or ear can be confusing at best, terrifying at worst. If you have to go with a model that inserts we suggest an in-ear model.
Our Picks
Best Overall - Hetaida’s HTD8813C
FYI: This model is sold under multiple brand names including Homedics.
Best In-Ear: Braun Thermoscan 7
If you want an in-ear model
What to Look For
Big, bright display
Easy to clean
Fast, accurate readings
Why You Need It
Fevers are warning signs: Whether it’s the flu, a urinary tract infection (aka UTI), or a post-vaccine reaction, a thermometer helps you monitor their condition.
Track temperature trends: Consistent tracking shows whether a fever is improving or getting worse.
Immediate decision-making: Knowing if their fever is mild or concerning helps you decide whether to call the doctor or break out the chicken soup.
Tips for Using It:
Read and follow the instructions: Most of the time accuracy comes down to using device properly. Read the instructions and make sure you know how to get the best result.
Clean after each use: Unless you’re going for a “sharing is caring” germ experiment.
Know the danger zone: A fever over 100°F (37.8°C) in older adults warrants attention.
Wrap Up
Look, no one asked you to become an honorary member of the Mayo Clinic, but here you are. And while you may never get a medical degree (despite your stellar Googling skills), having these devices at home makes you the MVP of your parent’s health team.
An automatic blood pressure cuff, a pulse oximeter, a scale, and a thermometer might not seem like much but together they will help you catch warning signs early, make better decisions, and sleep a little easier knowing you’re on top of their well-being. Plus, you’ll feel like a total badass confidently telling the doctor, “Actually, their BP was 132/88 all last week.”
So go ahead, assemble your at-home medical toolkit—and maybe reward yourself with some self care. You’ve earned it.
