Among the many ‘new’ discoveries/establishments made this past year, smart home technology is here to stay and make life easier. And the older adults who experienced its impact during the COVID crisis and lockdown will lay it down for you! Boomers and seniors have established themselves as smart home technology enthusiasts and are a huge part of the growing market.
Smart homes for the elderly/ aged/ seniors have gained vast awareness and popularity, with more and more being open to trying it out and then reaping its benefits. Smart homes can make living independently a lot easier, way safer, even healthier, and, dare we say, more enjoyable to the senior crowd.
Smart home automation gives seniors more freedom and accommodation that they can’t get from ordinary homes. 85% of seniors wish to stay in their own home however long they can. This choice can be fulfilled with smart home automation while their family rests assured of their security and comfort.
Today, we’ll look at some basic smart home applications that can improve the quality of life for our elderly people; ensuring they are ‘taken care of’ while they get to keep their independence and enjoy living at their own home without being pressed into considering staying with family or at some kind of care facility.
Remote/ Distant Access
Easy remote access enables one to monitor and control utilities and appliances across the home, both indoors and outdoors, which is a significant relief. Intelligent, smart home automation hands this control via a smartphone or tablet. Be it the lighting, HVAC settings, smart doorbell, television, security systems, and any other appliance; it gives the seniors a feeling of comfort and additional independence.
As you get older, you often get exhausted handling the mundane chores around the property, especially if your mobility is limited (a common concern amongst elders). Fortunately, remote access and smart home innovation can help counter these issues. Regardless of whether innovation appropriation is still more slow among seniors, about 42% of over-65s own a cell phone, and more are getting tech-savvy these days. The adoption rate has only accelerated this past year.
Sensors and Alerts
For seniors living independently, motion sensors, coupled with alerts, are a boon in more ways than one. They can be set to alert the residents in pre-defined scenarios and set to trigger timely alerts to friends/ family who also serves as caregivers in times of need.
A few tiny cameras can be set up with the pre-installed frameworks. There’s additionally the choice to connect a few gadgets and permit client responsiveness. For instance, a senior could bolt the vehicle entryways distantly utilising their phone.
In the event that your family is worried about you taking a fall unattended, this is an excellent, bother-free approach to caution them of a potential accident. Different sensors can identify if you are up and about, and if you’re regularly continuing with your day, giving your family peace smart home innovation can so shrewdly give.
Medication alerts can be set to ensure that there is no neglect to health, perhaps one of the greatest concerns of families. A medical monitoring and alert system can also connect to caregivers or emergency services in case of, say, a fall, heart trouble, or any such serious situations needing immediate assistance. Everything is customisable, from alerts to reminders about taking medicines on time to sending out alerts to the nearest hospital.
Smart Locks, Doorbells, and Security Systems
Wellbeing is a genuine worry for your senior, and you may invest a ton of energy stressing over their prosperity. Smart locks, doorbells, and security frameworks permit seniors to live at home with a feeling of freedom. They also give a sense of security to loved ones, knowing that all is well and any exigency will be handled.
Smart home security monitoring systems provide comprehensive protection via timely alerts – be it from intruders or natural calamities like floods, storms, to wildfires. The smart locks on doors and windows also come with motion sensors connected to the smart hub. When configured on the basis of their needs, they can be practical lifesavers.
Locks and doorbells can be utilised to screen or monitor when your loved ones leave or enter the home.
Geofencing or GPS can help you make virtual limits, and you’ll get versatile alarms when somebody enters or leaves the assigned region. Security frameworks permit guardians to screen action everywhere around the house with visual and sound controls. These settings can be configured to be remotely controlled by others as well, like family members or caregivers.
Automated Lights and Thermostats
Regular chores can get tricky for seniors, and many smart home devices can make these errands simpler. Indoor regulators, for instance, can be run on automated frameworks that can be customised and make controlling temperature a breeze. These can be voice-controlled, distantly controlled, and observed from far off.
Smart lights and switches altogether decline the chances of falls and wounds around evening when your adored one moves from one space to another. These sorts of lights can turn on or off naturally when going into or leaving the room and can likewise be voice enacted. Smart lighting is an integral part of most smart homes and offers excellent benefits to the aged. Automated lighting devices like a simple floodlight cam could ensure that the residents return home to a well lit home.
An awful fall can cause genuine injury and, in any event, bring a friend or family member’s long stretches of free-living to an abrupt end. Configurations that use the smart sensor alerts can help protect movement. Smart sensors decrease the danger of falls by turning on lights when movement is detected. Customised scenarios can be built in as needed for each room and home, ensuring safe movement. No fumbling in the dark when nature calls!
Smart Home Voice Assistants
Amazon’s Alexa, Apple HomeKit or Google Home can accomplish something beyond key-up your most recent playlist. These can help navigate a smart home with ease, all from the couch. Seniors can utilise these gadgets to remind them of their ideal time to work out, take meds, or acquire significant evaluations like a pulse perusing or glucose level. Likewise, they can utilise these gadgets to advise them about any potential crisis or to explore fundamental data about a persistent condition or new manifestations.
These smart home devices are voice-activated, which makes them simple to use for seniors. They can handle other viable items in the home, play music, settle on telephone decisions, look into data, and read books. Smart plugs can be operated through voice assistants turning appliances like coffee makers, speakers, entertainment systems and lamps into smart devices controlled through a single app on the phone or tablet.
These items listed above are elements that are recommended in every integrated smart home. Each comes with features that let you customise settings to the needs of the residents, are easy to understand and handle and can each deliver great relief.
Let us summarise the usage/ benefits of smart home technology for the aged once, as we wrap this…
In terms of device utility,
Smarter security provision, safer home, with family/caregivers in the loop
Cleaner homes courtesy smart cleaning technology
Controlled light systems and blinds
HVAC settings with integrated controls
Water filtration systems with leak sensors
Air quality monitoring and purification
Smart sensors and thermostats, Customised alerts
Prevent accidental wandering (geo-fencing)
In terms of changes to the lifestyle,
Simpler daily routines
Hands-free control, remote access
Personal hygiene appliances with touch, motion and voice control
Phone call with voice commands
Easy overall access to applications across the home, be it HVAC or entertainment
Health monitoring, automatic reminders for medications
Mobility assistance
Cost savings
As we grow older, most of us want to keep living in the homes that we have always lived in. The test for some families is providing assistance and care to our elders who are unable to take care of themselves. On the off-chance that you can’t be with your friends and family however much you might want, especially during the Covid pandemic, a central hub connected with smart devices around their home that you can control and monitor from a distance can give you a sense of comfort and security.
A smart home automation partner can help set it all up in a structured, hassle-free way.
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